Gambia Parliament Rejects Bill to Unban Female Genital Mutilation, Upholds 2015 Ban

Jul 15, 2024, 11:40 AM

Gambia's parliament has rejected a bill to unban female genital mutilation (FGM), upholding the 2015 ban. The proposed bill had sparked a heated public debate, with supporters arguing that the ban was an attack on African culture, while opponents highlighted the harmful consequences of FGM on women's health. The bill's rejection marks a victory for women's rights advocates who feared that repealing the ban could inspire similar moves in other African countries. Despite the ban, FGM remains widespread in Gambia, with reports of girls being cut without parental consent. The debate has deeply divided families and the parliament, reflecting the cultural and social complexities surrounding the practice. Parliament Speaker Fabakary Tombong noted that if the bill had passed, Gambia would have been the first country to make FGM legal again after banning it. Lawmakers voted on the bill this month.