Gambia upholds ban on female genital mutilation

Lawmakers in Gambia have rejected a bill that sought to overturn the ban on female genital cutting (FGC), also known as female genital mutilation (FGM).

The move is a significant victory for women’s rights activists who have been fighting to end the harmful practice.

The bill, which had been debated for months, was rejected by lawmakers who refused to overturn the ban imposed in 2015 by former President Yahya Jammeh.

The decision is a major setback for religious conservatives who had campaigned to reverse the ban, arguing that FGC was a virtue in Islam.

Activists and survivors of FGC had expressed concerns that reversing the ban would undermine years of work to end the practice, which has serious health consequences, including bleeding, death, and childbirth complications.

The procedure, which involves the partial or full removal of girls’ external genitalia, is often performed by traditional practitioners with tools such as razor blades or by health workers.

According to UN estimates, over 50% of women and girls aged 15-49 in Gambia have undergone FGC. Despite the ban, enforcement has been weak, and the practice continues, with only two cases prosecuted.

Absa Samba, an activist and survivor of FGC, expressed relief and celebrated the decision with others outside parliament. “It’s such a huge sense of relief,” she said. “But I believe this is just the beginning of the work.” Fatou Baldeh, another activist and survivor, called for more public education about the health consequences of FGC.

The UNFPA has reported that over 30 million women globally have undergone FGC in the past eight years, most of them in Africa but also in Asia and the Middle East. More than 80 countries have laws prohibiting the procedure or allowing it to be prosecuted.

What is Female Genital Mutilation?

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a harmful practice that involves the partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. It is also known as female genital cutting (FGC) or female circumcision.

FGM is often performed on young girls, typically between infancy and age 15, and is usually carried out by a traditional practitioner in unsanitary conditions. The procedure can lead to severe health complications, including:

– Infection
– Bleeding
– Chronic pain
– Difficulty urinating
– Increased risk of childbirth complications
– Emotional trauma

FGM is a violation of human rights and has no health benefits. It is often used to control women’s sexuality, fertility, and marital status. The practice is most common in Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia, but it also occurs in other regions.

Efforts to end FGM include education, legislation, and community engagement. If you or someone you know has undergone FGM, there are resources available to help, such as counseling and reconstructive surgery. Let’s work together to protect girls’ and women’s rights and well-being.

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