To end FGM : Arab boys and men speak out
Call
Gambian Parliamentarians Stand with Survivors
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Date
15 July 2024
Hour
Location
Gambia
Description
On July 15, 2024, the National Assembly of The Gambia, the country’s legislative body, sided with survivors of female genital mutilation (FGM) by rejecting a proposed law that would have legalized the practice, which was banned in The Gambia under the law in 2015. The debate resurfaced when a member of parliament introduced a new bill, arguing that the practice is deeply rooted in the country’s customs and religious beliefs.
The idea for the bill came from MP Mammah Jibeh, who claimed that the current ban violates citizens' rights to practice their culture and religion. Former President Yahya Jammeh had banned the practice in 2015, imposing heavy fines and imprisonment for those responsible.
It is worth noting that the Gambian parliament consists of 53 members, of whom only 9 are women.
