Child Protection

In 2015, the Gambian parliament took the historic step to pass the Women’s (Amendment) Act of 2015, which criminalised FGM and made it punishable by up to three years in prison – a significant shift after years of advocacy.

But recently, on March 18, politicians voted 42 to 4 to advance a controversial new bill which would repeal the landmark FGM ban if it passes following further consultation and expert opinion from specialized government ministries.

The Women’s Amendment Bill, 2023 which sought to Repeal the Ban on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) was tabled in Parliament by Hon Almami Gibba of Foni Kansala district.

This Bill seeks to lift the ban on female circumcision in The Gambia, a practice deeply rooted in the ethnic, traditional, cultural, and religious beliefs. It seeks to uphold religious purity and safeguard cultural norms and values. The current ban on female circumcision is a direct violation of citizens’ rights to practice their culture and religion as guaranteed by the Constitution. Given The Gambia’s predominantly Muslim population, any law that is inconsistent with the aspirations of most of the people should be reconsidered. Female circumcision is a culturally significant practice supported by Islam, with clear proves of the teachings from our Prophet,” says Almami Gibba while tabling the private member Bill at Parliament for first reading.

To protest this ban, Musu Komma, Country Director of ChildFund The Gambia joined other civil society organizations and activists at the national assembly where members debated the repealing of the Anti-FGM law. “FGM is a gross violation of the basic human rights of young girls and women. Every young girl deserves to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment, free from violence and discrimination. We are completely opposed to the practice of any form of FGM,” she said. 

 “Whenever I hear women who underwent the cut narrating their experience, none describe it as an ‘amazing’ or ‘exciting’ experience that they would love to relive again. Their stories are always laced with pain and horror — how a girl was pinned down by older women, cut, bled and fainted in the process. These stories are always horrific. Should we air these stories on TV and radio all day for people to accept that FGM is dangerous and an archaic practice that has no place in the 21st century? Why should we harden our hearts and be blind to the pain of our daughters?

But what troubles me even more is the fact that decisions about a girl’s body are often made by men, whether they be fathers, uncles, husbands, or community leaders. Why is it that women’s bodies are seen as something to be controlled and regulated by men? Why is it that decisions about a girl’s physical integrity are made without her consent, often at a young age when she is not even allowed to speak up for herself?”

There were protests outside Parliament as lawmakers discussed the bill, and the pressure resulted in Parliament referring the Bill to a members committee for further scrutiny. 

On July 22, 2024, lawmakers voted overwhelmingly against the Bill which was supposed to be tabled to a third round but never did. This follows continuous protests and consultations with National Assembly members by a powerful coalition of civil society organizations, including ChildFund.

That prompted National Assembly Speaker Fabakary Tombong Jatta to stop the bill moving forward to the final reading.

“The National Assembly cannot be engaged in such a futile exercise as to allow the bill to proceed to a third reading,” Jatta said after the votes. This decision marked a major win for girls and women in The Gambia. But the fight is far from over. It is a call to remain vigilant and ensure that harmful traditional practices have no place in a just and modern society.