I WISH I HAD KNOWN

Born and raised in a community where my voice is meaningless and that anything my parents and the community deem necessary becomes the order of the day. Children had no choice then than to abide by that, my friends and I even took it normal because we were raised never to go against the wills of our elders. So we dare not say anything but to see it as a norm and a necessary part of raining children.

Every year in summer in my community in the interior part of the Gambia, hundreds of children both boys and girls placed in separate sides are taken to the forest where only participants are presents and elderly members of the community not even our mothers because then as well women were seen as followers. All women do is take of the home while the men take lead in important aspect of communities and this was as very normal and we all lived peaceful lives.

When summers approaches , the villages becomes more lively , every parent is preparing their children for a journey to the real life. Children as well feel so happy and proud in going thorough such initiative. Never did we realize that this wasn’t the best for us, that this would have long term complications. I wish I had known.

My mother was not a staunch supporter of this but she has to accept because it’s a societal norm and women have no say over this. That was how I got mutilated when I was about 6 to 7 years.

Months passed by then years, I started hearing about the complications of FGM and that it has to be banned.
Although many supported it but it was drastically reduced as compared to before because the state also wen against it but people still practice it.

As an FGM survivor I grew up into a young ambitious lady who has passion for feminism. And as a victim I dedicate myself to fighting against FGM. Which I promised myself to fight my whole life. I know it won’t be that easy with me because it’s will be hard to totally eradicate the concept from the mind of people especially the unaware. But I won’t relent, I have participated in a pageantry and my talent and platform are based on FGM, updating on the effects of FGM and talking to individuals I know that can be change makers as well.

With the support of this initiative I am sure greater opportunities would come my way to give me a greater zeal in accomplishing a task I promised myself, my community , The Gambia and the World at large.