The vote followed months of heated debate within the Muslim community, which has a population of less than 3 million. Lawmakers successfully killed the bill by rejecting all sections of it and forcing a final vote.
The procedure, often referred to as female genital mutilation, involves the mutilation or complete removal of women’s external genitalia, often by means of razor blade-like instruments by traditional mob practitioners or at times by condition workers. Through. This can potentially cause serious bleeding, Die However, labor related headache is a popular remedy parts of africa,
Activists and human rights groups worry that overturning the annulment in Gambia would undo years of hard work against the centuries-old practice that is often imposed on girls as young as 5 and is rooted in concepts of sexual purity and control.
Spiritual conservatives who led the campaign against the cancellation argued that the practice was “one of the virtues of Islam”.
In March, a majority of MPs voted to enact the bill, leading to fears that the repeal could be overturned. However as rights activists campaigned and physicians, religious figures and others testified before the state committee regarding the ill effects of the practice, attitudes changed.
“It’s a huge feeling of relief,” said Absa Samba, an activist and survivor, celebrating with others in front of parliament. “But I believe this is just the beginning of the work.”
Fatou Baldeh, another activist and survivor, noted that she woke up crying that morning.
“Why did we have to go through this for 11 months?” he requested, his accent wavering. “Why are we forced to relive our traumas? Simply because men did not believe that female genital cutting would harm us.”
He added: “And right now, girls are still being cut. I hope this time it will not be just a decorative law.”
In The Gambia, more than half of girls and women aged 15 to 49 have undergone the procedure, according to United Nations estimates. former head yahya jammeh This practice was hastily stopped in 2015 without any additional explanation. However activists say enforcement has been weak and the number of women involved remains low.
The first trial took place when three women were convicted of giving birth to their own daughters and doing so. The circumstances sparked family debate, and some noted that the prosecution influenced the conflict in opposition to the annulment.
In 2023, the Gambia’s Islamic body issued a fatwa in which it recommended the outlawing of female genital mutilation or cutting, defined as “female circumcision”. Following Monday’s vote, key contributors to the Gambia Preferred Islamic Council (GSIC) declined to comment.
Outspoken imam Abdulai Fatty, who led the crowd to overturn the repeal, called on lawmakers and activists to fight against the bill.
“There are 35 MPs who have blocked efforts to lift the FGM ban,” Fatty said. “He acted against the interest of Gambians. We are our votes. Let us wait for the elections to make our voice heard.
UNICEF mentioned earlier Nearly 30 million girls globally Female genital cutting has been experienced over the past 8 years, most of them in Africa while others are in Asia and the Middle East.
More than 80 countries have laws banning or allowing the practice, according to a recent International Storage study cited by United Nations Community CapitalTreasury. They come together with South Africa, Iran, Republic of India and Ethiopia.
“No religious text promotes or condemns female genital mutilation,” the UNFPA report said, adding that there is no benefit in it.
In the long run, its use can control urinary tract infections, menstrual problems, pain, decreased sexual pleasure and postpartum headaches as well as depression, low pride and post-traumatic stress weakness.
UNICEF and WHO issued a joint comment on Monday night, commending Gambia on the vote, which “reaffirmed its commitments to human rights, gender equality and protecting the health and well-being of girls and women.”
However, it says, legislative bans do not appear to be sufficient to prevent female genital mutilation, a practice that “results in serious immediate and long-term physical and psychological harm, including infection, complications of later childbearing, and post-traumatic stress disorder.” Can deliver.” ,
The organizations “secure the gains made to advance gender equality, end violence against girls and women, and accelerate progress to end FGM”, in addition to training state employees, communities and Emphasized the desire for continued advocacy while working with Native leaders.
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Pronzuk reported from Dakar, Senegal. Associated Press editor Abdoulie John contributed reporting from Banjul, Gambia.
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