Gambian lawmakers rejected a bill that would have lifted the ban on female genital cutting, marking a significant victory for activists. The bill faced strong opposition as health consequences were highlighted during debates. Over half of Gambian girls and women are affected by this practice, which continues despite previous prohibitions. Activists express relief but emphasize the ongoing need to protect women’s rights.
On Monday, Gambian lawmakers rejected a bill aimed at overturning the country’s ban on female genital cutting (FGC). This attempt, closely monitored by international activists, sought to make Gambia the first nation to reverse such a prohibition. After months of vigorous discussions in the predominantly Muslim nation of under three million people, lawmakers effectively nullified the bill by rejecting all its components, thus avoiding a final vote.
Female genital cutting, also known as female genital mutilation (FGM), involves the partial or total removal of a girl’s external genitalia, often conducted by traditional practitioners using non-medical tools. Although the practice can lead to severe health complications, including bleeding and childbirth difficulties, it continues to be prevalent in certain African regions. Activists and human rights advocates expressed concern that lifting the ban would undermine decades of efforts against this harmful tradition, which primarily targets girls below the age of five and is deeply rooted in notions of sexual purity.
The push to repeal the ban was primarily spearheaded by religious conservatives, who claimed that FGC was a virtue of Islam. Initially, a majority of lawmakers had voted to progress the bill, fostering apprehension that the ban would soon be rescinded. However, prevailing sentiments shifted as rights activists campaigned against the bill, highlighting the adverse health impacts which were substantiated through testimonies from healthcare providers and religious leaders.
Following the vote, activist and survivor Absa Samba expressed her relief, stating, “It’s such a huge sense of relief.” Another survivor, Fatou Baldeh, shared her emotional struggles during the process, expressing concerns over having to revisit painful experiences. “Why have we been put through this for 11 months?” she questioned, emphasizing that girls continue to suffer from FGC despite the ban.
According to United Nations estimates, over fifty percent of Gambian women and girls aged 15 to 49 have experienced the procedure. Although the previous president, Yahya Jammeh, officially prohibited the practice in 2015, enforcement has been lax, allowing the tradition to persist. The first prosecutions occurred last year when three women were convicted for facilitating the practice, provoking a national dialogue on the issue.
Globally, UNICEF reported that around thirty million women have undergone FGC in the past eight years, with the majority residing in Africa, as well as some in Asia and the Middle East. As noted by the World Bank, over eighty countries have enacted laws banning or penalizing the practice, including South Africa, Iran, India, and Ethiopia. The UNFPA stated, “No religious text promotes or condones female genital mutilation,” emphasizing that there are no health benefits to the procedure, which can lead to severe long-term physical and mental health issues.
In conclusion, the Gambian lawmakers’ decision to uphold the ban on female genital cutting marks a significant victory for human rights advocates who have campaigned against this harmful practice. Despite previous concerns regarding the potential reversal of the ban, the rejection of the bill illustrates a shifting attitude toward female genital mutilation within the country. Continued efforts are needed to enforce the ban and protect the health and rights of women and girls.
Original Source: www.pbs.org
