Lifting the ban against FGM/C in The Gambia would threaten progress at a crucial juncture
“We are horrified to see a bill being brought forward that would bring back FGM/C, which we should be clear is an act of violence against women and girls. We urge parliament to vote against a bill that will so clearly endanger girls’ lives and future while setting a dangerous precedent in a world where progress on tackling FGM/C has gone into reverse."
STATEMENT
15 March 2024 - For immediate release
Lifting the ban against FGM/C in The Gambia would threaten progress at a crucial juncture
Responding to the upcoming vote in The Gambia’s parliament on 18 March on a bill to reverse the ban on female genital mutilation/cutting, Tabu Sarr Njie, Women's Rights Manager at ActionAid Gambia, said:
“We are horrified to see a bill being brought forward that would bring back FGM/C, which we should be clear is an act of violence against women and girls. We urge parliament to vote against a bill that will so clearly endanger girls’ lives and future while setting a dangerous precedent in a world where progress on tackling FGM/C has gone into reverse."
“Every year across the world an estimated 44,000 women and girls die after an FGM/C procedure is performed on them – a harmful practice that three-quarters of Gambian adolescent girls have been subjected to. Any move to lift the ban would seriously jeopardise The Gambia’s progress in tackling violence against women and girls and send a dangerous signal to other countries thinking of taking the same path.
“We as campaigners fought tooth and nail to bring about a ban and an end to FGM/C. With lives now on the line, we implore parliament to vote down the bill and redouble its efforts in ending all forms of violence against women and girls.”