Gambia defends FGM ban, strengthen global anti-mutilation campaign

In a significant victory for the century-old global campaign against female genital mutilation (FGM), Gambian lawmakers have firmly upheld a landmark ban on the practice.

This decision marks a pivotal moment in the fight against a deeply entrenched cultural and religious tradition that has long been condemned by health professionals and human rights advocates worldwide.

On Monday, Gambian parliamentarians decisively blocked a proposed bill aimed at overturning the ban on FGM, which was established in 2015.

The bill, introduced by MP Almameh Gibba, sought to make FGM a “matter of choice” but was rejected in its entirety during the final legislative consideration stage. Speaker Fabakary Tombong Jatta confirmed the bill’s rejection, stating, “The Women’s (Amendment) Bill, 2024, having gone through the consideration stage with all the clauses voted down, is hereby deemed rejected and negative.”

The ban on FGM in Gambia was originally enacted by former President Yahya Jammeh through an executive order in 2015, making Gambia the first West African nation to officially outlaw the practice.

This move was a landmark achievement in the global anti-FGM campaign, which began in Egypt in the 1920s. Despite the ban, FGM remains pervasive, with approximately 80% of Gambian women aged 15 to 49 having undergone the procedure, according to national statistics.

The persistence of FGM in Gambia underscores the deep-rooted cultural and religious traditions that perpetuate the practice.

Last August, the country saw its first criminal prosecution related to FGM when Mba Yasin Fatty, a 95-year-old cutter, was fined for attempting to mutilate eight girls aged between four months and one year.

The case drew significant attention and prompted a strong reaction from religious leaders, with an Islamic cleric paying the fines in protest.

FGM has severe and lasting health consequences for its victims. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that complications from FGM cost the Gambian health system $4.5 million in 2019, representing 11% of the government’s health expenditure for that year.

The immediate health risks include excessive bleeding, urinary problems, and potentially fatal infections, while long-term effects can involve complications during childbirth and psychological trauma.

The Gambian parliament’s decision to uphold the ban on FGM has resonated beyond its borders. Similar legislative efforts in other African nations, such as Kenya, have faced significant challenges, with a Kenyan court upholding its ban in 2021. Gambia’s reaffirmation of its FGM ban sets a vital precedent and sends a powerful message in support of women’s rights and health.

Isatou Touray, executive director of the Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children (GAMCOTRAP), expressed relief and jubilation at the parliamentary decision. “We will celebrate,” Touray declared. “Because the fact is, we have won.”

The continued fight against FGM in Gambia will require ongoing advocacy, education, and enforcement to ensure that the ban is effectively implemented and that cultural attitudes shift towards protecting the health and rights of women and children. The international community and local organizations must now build on this legislative victory to eradicate FGM from Gambian society once and for all.

Monday’s parliamentary decision not only preserves a critical legal safeguard for Gambian women and girls but also fortifies the global movement against FGM. As Gambia stands firm in its commitment to banning this harmful practice, it offers hope for a future where all women and girls can live free from the threat of genital mutilation.