SYMPOSIUM FOR RELIGIOUS LEADERS AND MEDICAL PERSONNEL ON FGM AS A FORM OF VIOLENCE
Banjul, The Gambia July 20-23, 1998
PREAMBLE
The meeting was honoured by the presence of Her Excellency, Isatou Njie-Saidy, Vice-President of The Republic of The Gambia, at the opening ceremony of the Symposium.
We the participants at the symposium organized by the Inter-African Committee on Traditional Practices (IAC)/Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices (GAMCOTRAP) held in Banjul, The Republic of The Gambia, from July 20th - 23rd, 1998, for Religious Leaders and Medical Personnel, on Female Genital Mutilation as a Form of Violence Against Women:
Having exhaustively discussed and debated different forms of violence against women with emphasis on FGM, we the Islamic and Christian leaders here present arrived at a consensus, and re-affirm our conviction that FGM is not a religious injunction and therefore constitutes a grave violation against the rights of women.
We recommend as follows:
TO ALL RELIGIOUS LEADERS AND SCHOLARS
* To confirm and support the fact that Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is not an injunction either in the Holy Quran or in the Holy Bible.
* To undertake and support action aimed at eradicating violence against women particularly FGM.
* To condemn all attempts to impede the fight against FGM.
TO GOVERNMENTS
* That Governments uphold and enforce all international and regional conventions relating to the rights of women and children.
TO WOMEN
* To learn and understand the divine principles of religion in order to defend their rights and that of their children.
TO MEN
* To strictly observe the religious teachings based on love, equity, mutual respect and partnership.
TO DOCTORS AND HEALTH WORKERS
* That there should be no medicalization of FGM, under any circumstance.
23rd July 1998
The Participants