Communities from The Gambia, Senegal, and Guinea-Bissau came together in Jarra Soma, The Gambia for a cross-border convergence under a project supported by the Italian Cooperation through UNFPA. The gathering focused on eliminating female genital mutilation and preventing cross-border cutting, bringing together religious leaders, local authorities, women leaders, and activists to share strategies and best practices.

For Imam Musa Baldeh of Guinea-Bissau, the solution to ending FGM lies in changing perceptions through faith-based dialogue.

Through sermons and our engagement with the public, we can spread anti-FGM messages. People’s minds are changing. The practice is not religious—it only causes harm to women and girls. Not practicing FGM does not make anyone less of a Muslim.

From Senegal, activist Fatoumatta Mballow stressed the importance of community-centered advocacy.

Our fight has always been one of calm and soothing messages. That approach works well with communities. We see progress—many people have stopped the practice.

A woman leader from The Gambia, Aja Fatoumatta Jabbie called for more cross-border gatherings to strengthen collaboration.

When we come together like this, we learn from each other’s best practices. Women’s rights must be respected, and women must be empowered. That is the foundation for ending FGM.

The Jarra Soma convergence highlights the power of unity in addressing harmful practices that cross national boundaries. By exchanging experiences and reinforcing one another’s efforts, participants renewed their commitment to protecting the health and rights of women and girls.

This initiative is part of UNFPA’s broader effort to; accelerate progress on ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.

About the project

The project on Accelerating the prevention and the elimination of Gender-based violence and the promotion of Reproductive Health in Senegal and The Gambia  aims to eliminate Gender-Based Violence , Female Genital Mutilation, and Child Marriage by fostering an enabling legal, institutional, and socio-cultural environment for gender equality. It strengthens multi-sectoral approaches to prevent GBV and harmful practices, while ensuring access to prevention measures and comprehensive care services for survivors in cross-border areas between Senegal and The Gambia.  

Media contact: Fatoumatta Cham, Program Analyst-Communication (fcham@unfpa.org)