The ruling on whether to reverse the ban on FGM for women in the Gambia has been delayed for a period of three months due to MPs requesting further discussions.
Eight years ago, the country banned FGM and made it punishable by a maximum of three years in prison.
According to Agence France-Presse, a large number of individuals demonstrated in front of the parliament on Monday, with the majority in favor of overturning the ban.
According to the country’s health survey, three-quarters of women between 15 and 49 have undergone FGM, and anti-FGM campaigners fear the proposed bill is undoing years of work.
Jaha Dukureh, the creator of Safe Hands for Girls, an organization against FGM, expressed deep sadness at witnessing men dismiss our stories and trivialize our suffering as a result of Western influence.
The proposed law has been referred to a committee, which can have both positive and negative effects. Luckily, one positive outcome from today’s events is that female genital mutilation (FGM) remains prohibited in the Gambia. However, sending the bill to committee means that there will be a delay in its progress, and it is concerning that the practice of cutting off girls’ genitals may still be up for debate in my homeland until 2024.
The legislation will be reviewed by a parliamentary committee and may take up to three months before being brought back to parliament for discussion and a decision.
Almameh Gibba, the MP, presented the bill to parliament, stating that revoking the ban would promote religious dedication and protect cultural traditions and beliefs. Those against the ban have frequently argued that it goes against Islamic principles, whereas advocates against FGM argue that there is no basis for the practice in the Qur’an.
Prior to Monday’s ruling, Janet Ramatoulie Sallah-Njie, the designated representative for the protection of women’s rights in Africa on behalf of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, expressed apprehension that the repeal of the FGM law could potentially lead to the elimination of laws concerning underage and coerced marriage.
Sallah-Njie, a native of Gambia, expressed the need for strong mobilization and active advocacy from civil society.
Source: theguardian.com
