Gambia Faces Intense Debate Over Female Genital Mutilation Ban in Nation of Less Than 3 Million

Aug 3, 2024, 07:30 PM

In Gambia, the ongoing debate over female genital mutilation (FGM) has intensified as lawmakers consider reversing the country's ban on the practice. Metta, a mother of six from rural Gambia, is among the many women who have taken a stand against FGM. She traveled to the capital, Banjul, to join protests outside the parliament. The practice, deeply rooted in cultural traditions, has divided the nation of less than 3 million people between upholding these customs and advocating for women's rights. The Lancet has also weighed in, stating that the medicalisation of FGM is not a harm-reduction strategy but a violation of medical ethics and human rights.