Available data indicates that more than 52% of Guinean women between the ages of 15 and 49 have been victims of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Guinea-Bissau, a country located in West Africa). The Gabú Region, in the east, which is mainly populated by the Fula ethnic group, belonging to the Muslim religion, is the most affected area, where 96% of women have been excised. Many of the women who are victims of the practice have psychological traumas as a result of the violence they were subjected to in childhood.
I, as a journalist, sensitized to the cause of FGM in the country, and in the face of the glaring figures presented to us, despite the remarkable efforts of organizations, namely the National Committee for the Abandonment of Practices Harmful to the Health of Women and Children, have worked hard to denounce and promote positive awareness of the consequences of Female Genital Mutilation in Guinea-Bissau, through news and audiovisual reports on Radio Capital FM of Guinea-Bissau and on the Portuguese Service of Voz de América, as a local correspondent. But more than that, it is good to reinforce our efforts and commitment in the fight against FGM, thus inviting all state and non-state actors, as well as our communities, to a relentless fight against this practice in our societies.
So, imbued with the spirit of a journalist and activist on the cause of FGM, I am joining the Caravan that will pass through Guinea-Bissau, giving my full support to the success of this initiative, which I am calling for the greatest involvement and mobilization of Guineans.
