On Monday, Gambian lawmakers endorsed recommendations for the country to uphold its prohibition on female genital mutilation, preceding a vote later this month on whether to legalise the practice.
Since its outlawing in 2015, female genital mutilation (FGM) remains prevalent in Gambia despite legal prohibition, and backlash against the law intensifying following the first convictions last year.
Following an intense debate on Monday, the recommendations outlined in a report by the joint health and gender committee were approved during a full house sitting.
The vote resulted in 35 lawmakers supporting the adoption of the report, 17 opposing it, and two abstentions.
The final vote on the bill to decriminalise FGM is scheduled for July 24th. If endorsed by parliament, Gambia would be the first country to overturn a prohibition on FGM.
The bill advanced during its second reading in March with just five out of 53 lawmakers voting against it, and one abstaining.
Following the second reading, the joint committee conducted a nationwide public consultation involving religious and traditional leaders, medical professionals, victims, civil society organisations, and practitioners of the practice, among other stakeholders.
Presented on Monday, its findings described all types of FGM as “a traumatic form of torture” and “gender-based discrimination against women”.
Amadou Camara, the lawmaker who presented the report, stated that “Revoking the law would represent a significant setback for the Gambia.”
After the first conviction in August, which involved three women found guilty of performing FGM on eight infant girls, there was a strong public outcry.
Independent lawmaker Almaneh Gibba subsequently introduced the abolition bill in March.
Gibba and his allies, backed by prominent religious figures, contend that the ban encroaches on citizens’ rights to uphold their cultural and religious practices in the Muslim-majority nation.
Nonetheless, this stance is contested by numerous Islamic scholars.
According to the World Health Organisation, FGM provides no health advantages and can lead to severe complications like heavy bleeding, shock, psychological issues, and even mortality.
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