A DECLARATION ON FGM BY RELIGIOUS LEADERS
BANJUL DECLARATIONOn Violence Against Women
We the participants at the Symposium for Religious Leaders and Medical Personnel on FGM as a Form of Violence, organized by the Inter-African Committee on Traditional Practices/GAMCOTRAP, held in Banjul, The Gambia July 20-23, 1998 declare as follows:
* Having examined and appreciated the health and human rights implications of violence against women and girls, particularly female genital mutilation;
* Having recognized that in Africa over 100 million women and girls are victims of FGM;
* Having confirmed that FGM has neither islamic nor christian origin or justifications;
* Seriously concerned by the incorrect interpretations and misuse of islamic teachings to perpetuate violence against women, particularly FGM;
* Upholding the principle of equality and justice for all, without discrimination between men and women;
* Reaffirming the universality of human rights principles and their indivisibility;
Hereby strongly condemn the continuation of female genital mutilation.
Condemn the misuse of religious argument to perpetuate FGM and other forms of violence.
Commit ourselves to clarify the misinterpretation of religion and to teach the true principles of Islam and Christianity with regard to violence against women, including FGM.
Propose:
* The setting up of a network of religious leaders and scholars to support the IAC in its campaign against harmful traditional practices.
* The establishment of family tribunals, comprising men and women, to settle family disputes.
* Family laws to be reviewed in the light of christian and islamic principles and human rights.
* Legislate against the continuation of the practice of FGM, stipulating penalties for offenders.
Call on all religious leaders to spare no efforts to enhance the campaign aimed at freeing women from all forms of violence, including FGM.
22 July 1998
The Participants
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