Among those leading this change is Bubacarr Malafi Sanyang, the Village Development Committee (VDC) chairman, who believes that lasting peace in families can only happen when husbands and wives communicate openly and respect each other’s voices. Inspired by discussions organised through the Fathers Club and community sensitisation programs, Sanyang says listening to women share their experiences with FGM changed his perspective on the practice.
Now, he is using his position as a community leader to encourage men to listen, learn, and engage in discussions about practices that may harm women and girls. In a community where traditions remain deeply rooted, these conversations are slowly helping to reshape attitudes and inspire change.
Speaking to this reporter in April 2026, Sanyang explained that the creation of the Fathers Club was inspired by the realisation that family matters should not rest solely in the hands of men.
“By then, people believed that men should always be in front,” he said. “Yes, men should lead, but both men and women should be involved in discussions about family affairs. When husbands and wives share their ideas, it becomes easier to take care of the family.”
According to him, the Fathers Club was formed to complement the already existing Mothers Club and encourage better communication within marriages and homes. Since joining the club last year, Sanyang says he has witnessed a significant change in how men view women’s participation in decision-making.
The discussions, however, often return to one deeply sensitive issue — FGM.
For Sanyang, the subject is personal and complex. Like many in the community, he grew up seeing the practice carried out by elders and accepted as part of tradition. But over time, health workers, women, and organisations such as Tostan began engaging communities on the harmful effects of the practice.
“When we were growing up, we found our elders doing it,” he explained. “But now doctors are telling us it causes harm to women. If something is harmful, then it is better to stop it.”
He says listening to women who openly shared their painful experiences changed his perspective.
“I have seen women who stood up and said FGM affected them,” he said. “I believe they would not lie about their suffering. If things are like that, I will not allow another person to go through what they went through.”
As VDC chairperson, Sanyang frequently attends community sensitisation meetings organised by Tostan and other groups. He admits that changing people’s minds is not easy, especially in communities where tradition is strongly protected.
“Some people say they found their great-grandparents doing it and nobody can change them,” he said. “You cannot change everybody at the same time. But with continuous discussions, people begin to understand.”
One of the strongest messages he promotes through the Father's Club is communication between couples. According to him, many married couples avoid discussing the impact of FGM, even when it affects their relationships and family wellbeing.
“If husbands and wives discuss these things openly, women can explain the pain and harm they face,” he said. “Then together they can decide what is best for their children without pressure from society.”
He believes silence and secrecy within homes contribute to misunderstandings and continued support for harmful practices.
The Fathers Club, he says, has also helped challenge harmful attitudes toward women in the community. In the past, women were often discouraged from speaking in front of men during gatherings. Today, the club encourages shared dialogue and mutual respect.
“Some people used to see women as slaves,” Sanyang explained. “But when men and women bring their suggestions together, it brings progress and peace in marriages.”
Despite resistance from some sections of the community, Sanyang remains hopeful that patience, dialogue, and education will gradually bring change.
His advice to community members is simple: listen before rejecting new ideas.
“If someone comes to discuss FGM with you, allow them to talk,” he said. “If you do not listen, you will never understand each other.”
Through the Fathers Club and his leadership role as VDC chairperson, Bubacarr Malafi Sanyang is helping open difficult but necessary conversations in Basse Manneh Kunda — conversations he believes are essential for protecting future generations of girls and strengthening families across the community.
This story is part of the "Breaking the Silence: Voices of FGM Survivors" podcast funded by the Foundation for Women's Health, Research and Development (FORWARD UK).
Author: Fatou S. Sanyang
PC: Malafi Sanyang
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