In a recent development, Gambia’s parliament has made a significant decision to uphold the ban on female genital mutilation (FGM) by rejecting a proposed bill that sought to legalize the practice. The bill, which was presented to parliament by lawmaker Almaneh Gibba, sparked a heated debate among members of the parliament and the public.
Despite Gibba’s argument for cultural and religious reasons, the majority of lawmakers voted against the proposed law, with only five out of 53 MPs supporting it during the second reading. Following extensive public hearings and consultations, the health and gender affairs committees recommended maintaining the ban on FGM, which was ultimately approved by a vote of 35 to 17 with two abstentions.
The decision to reject the bill was hailed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and praised by various United Nations representatives. WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the importance of protecting women’s and girls’ rights, noting the harmful consequences of FGM, which include severe pain, infections, excessive bleeding, and psychological problems.
The rejection of the bill was seen as a significant step towards upholding international human rights obligations in Gambia. Anti-FGM activists and legal scholars applauded the decision, hoping that it would lead to better enforcement of existing laws banning the practice.
Despite the setback, the fight against FGM continues in Gambia, with advocates calling for stronger enforcement of anti-FGM laws and increased efforts to protect women and girls from this harmful practice. The rejection of the bill is a clear signal of Gambia’s commitment to eliminating FGM and promoting the well-being of its female population.
