Debating The Fate Of Female Genital Mutilation: Gambia's Legislative Crossroads

Gambia's parliament convened on Monday to deliberate a contentious issue stirring both internal and external debate: the potential reversal of a pivotal law banning female genital mutilation (FGM) within the nation's borders. This discussion was set against the backdrop of fervent advocacy from certain religious factions within Gambia, predominantly Muslim, pressing for the repeal of the legislation.

Outside the parliamentary chambers, demonstrations unfolded as legislators engaged in discourse over a private member's bill aimed at decriminalizing the practice in this small West African nation. Eventually, the motion found itself redirected to a parliamentary committee for deeper scrutiny, as Deputy Speaker Seedy SK Njie disclosed.

Njie affirmed the parliament's commitment to reaching a well-considered verdict, albeit without specifying a definitive timeline. Meanwhile, the space outside the parliament swelled with demonstrators both in favor and against the proposed bill.

Expressing his personal stance, Njie vocalized staunch support for upholding the FGM prohibition, asserting, "The law is here to stay and will not be repealed." He emphasized the paramount importance of safeguarding Gambian women and girls against all forms of violence.

Gambia's stance against FGM dates back to 2015 when former President Yahya Jammeh instituted stringent penalties, including fines and imprisonment up to three years, for individuals involved in the practice. Instances where FGM resulted in fatalities carried the weight of life imprisonment. However, voices from pro-Islamic groups and lawmakers clamored for the repeal of this anti-FGM legislation, echoing sentiments from the Supreme Islamic Council (GSIC), which hailed female circumcision as integral to Islamic teachings.

Notable figures like opposition leader and former interior minister Mai Ahmad Fatty aligned with this sentiment, advocating for the removal of anti-FGM statutes. Fatty's public demonstration, brandishing a placard affirming traditional circumcision over mutilation, underscored the contention surrounding the issue.

Recent legal proceedings saw three Gambian women convicted for performing FGM on eight minors, resulting in fines or potential imprisonment. In a tragic incident in 2016, two women faced charges following the death of an infant from FGM-related complications.

Critics, including Amnesty International and Gambia's National Human Rights Commission, vehemently oppose any efforts to rescind the FGM ban, labeling it a regressive step detrimental to human rights progress. Michele Eken, a senior researcher at Amnesty International, denounced the proposed bill as a dangerous precedent, urging parliament to reject it.

The Gambian National Human Rights Commission echoed similar concerns, denouncing attempts to overturn the anti-FGM law as a disheartening reversal of years of advocacy. Additionally, a consortium of female lawyers underscored the primacy of human rights over cultural practices, cautioning against any compromise.

Statistics reveal the pervasive nature of FGM, with approximately 73% of Gambian women between 15 and 49 years having undergone the procedure, often before the age of five. Globally, over 200 million women and girls have undergone FGM, predominantly concentrated in Africa and Asia, as reported by UNICEF.

As Gambia's parliament navigates this contentious terrain, the fate of the anti-FGM law hangs in the balance, symbolizing a crucial juncture in the nation's commitment to human rights and cultural tradition.