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Human Rights Watch raises alarm over Gambia's attempt to reverse FGM ban

Huma Rights Watch (HRW) has raised an alarm over Gambia's attempt to reverse FGM ban. (Photo: File/AFP)

By Hanifa Adan | 19 Apr 2024

If National Assembly proceeds to adopt Women's (Amendment) Bill 2024 during its upcoming session, Gambia would become the first country to reverse such a ban.

Human Rights Watch on Friday expressed concern over a bill presented to Gambia's National Assembly.

The bill aims to overturn a significant 2015 ban on female genital mutilation (FGM), potentially endangering the rights of women and girls in the country.

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Gambia, ranked among the top 10 countries with the highest rates of FGM, has taken significant legislative measures to combat the practice.

In 2015, a comprehensive ban criminalizing all forms of FGM was enacted, marking a pivotal step in protecting women and girls.

Additionally, the Gambian government introduced a national strategy and policy spanning from 2022 to 2026, aimed at eradicating FGM entirely by 2030.

However, if the National Assembly proceeds to adopt the Women's (Amendment) Bill 2024 during its upcoming June session, Gambia would notably become the first country to reverse such a ban on FGM, sparking concerns over the potential ramifications for women's rights and wellbeing in the country.

"The Gambian government's consideration of a bill reversing the ban on FGM is deeply troubling for women's rights," said Mausi Segun, Africa director at Human Rights Watch.

"The proposed law would legitimize FGM in the country and could encourage similar measures elsewhere on the continent, undermining the progress made in protecting girls and women from this harmful practice."

UNICEF found that approximately 73 per cent of girls and women in Gambia ages 15 to 49 years reported surviving FGM, with more than 80 per cent of those aged between 10 and 19 years having been cut before age 5. More than 20 per cent of them were infibulated, meaning the genital area is cut and sown shut.

The 2019-2020 Gambia Demographic and Health Survey data showed a slight decrease in FGM, 73 per cent of girls and women ages 15 to 49 having survived FGM compared with 75 per cent in 2013.

The survey also reflected a shift in the attitudes and behaviours of many practising communities. However, over the last 30 years, the percentage of girls and women ages 10 to 19 who reported experiencing FGM has not changed significantly.

Human Rights Watch said the Gambian government should prioritize the protection of girls' and women's rights and adopt all measures to eliminate this harmful practice by 2030.

"The government should heed calls from civil society organizations and African and UN human rights bodies to discourage legislative efforts to lift the ban."

"The Gambian government should fiercely protect the rights of Gambian girls and women and reject any proposal to reverse or weaken the 2015 FGM ban," Segun said. "The government should take concrete steps to end the harmful practice of FGM once and for all."