The Gambian National Assembly's decision to maintain the ban on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) was welcomed by several international non-governmental organizations, who see it as a commitment to human rights.
"Following the 15 July vote by the National Assembly of The Gambia, we welcome the country's decision to maintain the ban on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), reaffirming its commitment to human rights, gender equality and health protection and the well-being of girls and women", declared several United Nations agencies, through a joint statement released by the World Health Organization.
FGM involves cutting or removing part or all of the external female genital organs.
"In most cases, it is practiced on children and young girls and can cause serious immediate and long-term physical and psychological harm, including infections, complications later in pregnancy and post-traumatic stress disorders," according to the statement.
The 2015 women's law amendment is seen by the United Nations as "a fundamental milestone in advancing gender equality" and "is the culmination of years of advocacy, community engagement and education aimed at eradicating this practice harmful and meet the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals".
"It is therefore crucial that these legal protections remain in place," they stated.
"The decision to maintain the ban on FGM is in line with The Gambia's international and regional commitments to prevent harmful practices against girls and women, consistent with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and the Maputo Protocol that protects the rights of African women", they said.
According to UN agencies, "the past few months have highlighted the need to continue to defend gender equality, end violence against girls and women and secure the gains made to accelerate progress towards ending FGM ".
The entities also highlighted the importance of involving communities and grassroots organizations, working with traditional, political and religious leaders, training health professionals and effectively raising awareness of the damage caused by this practice.
Amnesty International also congratulated the African nation on the continuation of the ban, but warned that authorities must urgently address the root causes that lead to the practice of these acts.
Around 76% of girls and women aged 15 to 49 have undergone FGM in The Gambia, according to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and three in four girls have undergone it before the age of 6. .
However, since the practice was banned in 2015, "only two cases have been prosecuted and the first conviction for FGM was only made in August last year", lamented Amnesty International's regional director for West and Central Africa, Samira Daoud, cited in the statement.
"Furthermore, this attempt to repeal the law is a warning sign that demonstrates that measures must be taken to raise awareness of women's rights and the need to eradicate these harmful practices. Due diligence requires prevention, protection and reparation effective, and not just criminalization", indicated Daoud, considering that, in addition to the prohibition, the authorities must act more "to enforce the law".
