Amplifying the end FGM message with traditional communicators as an entry point

Traditional communicators locally known as “kanyelengs” and entertainers known for their ability to communicate important messages through song, dance, and drama. They play a significant role in their communities by using their culture and craft to address pressing issues. From 30th July to 2nd August 2024, Think Young Women (TYW) with support from UNFPA The Gambia through ChildFund The Gambia, engaged 45 kanyelengs across three regions of The Gambia - Lower River Region, Central River Region, and Upper River Region - through a project aimed at raising public awareness about Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). The engagement was aimed at enhancing the understanding of these traditional communicators, locally known as kanyelengs of the current discourse around FGM in the country, the continued prohibiting of the practices following months of debates around the potential repeal of the law against the practice and support them in developing messages for songs and drama about the practice.

Bringing together 15 kanyelengs in each region for a day long interaction, the participants were involved in focus group discussions on the current state of the FGM law, what their communities currently think about the practice, and their role as traditional communicators in supporting its complete abandonment. The initiative was meant to tap into the kanyelengs’ influence and ability to reach mass community audiences to create songs and develop short dramas in local languages, specifically Fula and Mandinka. With music and drama being powerful tools for spreading messages, especially in communities where literacy levels are low, and access to formal education is limited, using local dialects and traditional forms of expression, the kanyelengs will communicate in a way that connects deeply with their audiences.

The Gambia is a country with diverse cultures and beliefs, and this project highlighted the different views on FGM across the country. In the Lower River Region, for example, many women said that FGM is a tradition passed down from their ancestors and is deeply rooted in their culture, making it hard to change people's minds. However, they also admitted that before the engagement, they had little knowledge about the practice especially regarding its complications, the reasons for the ban, and the consequences of breaking the law. After learning more about the harmful effects of FGM, they recognised that it is a violation of human rights and accepted that, like all societies, they must follow rules and regulations that protect everyone. In Basse however, the participants were aware of the FGM ban but did not fully understand the health risks involved, nor did they understand the penalties attached to the crime. Many of them revealed that they too are survivors of the practice and had experienced the complications that come with it, highlighting that this engagement opened their eyes to these issues, sparking important conversations within their communities.

To ensure these messages would have a lasting impact, their songs and short skits were recorded. These recordings will be shared widely, providing ongoing educational resources that will support efforts to continue raising awareness and encouraging discussions around FGM and the law in The Gambia. The involvement of the Kanyelengs in this project shows how important it is to use culturally relevant approaches to address deep-rooted practices like FGM and SGBV. By combining traditional methods of communication with modern advocacy, we can effectively spread these messages to a wider audience and make a real difference in the fight against these harmful practices and create communities where girls and women grow, thrive and live fulfilling lives.