Gambian lawmakers to vote on repealing female genital mutilation ban

BANJUL (Reuters) -Gambian lawmakers planned on Monday to vote on a proposal to repeal a ban on female genital mutilation (FGM), which has been on the rise in recent years despite moves to outlaw the practice.

The small West African nation imposed steep fines and jail sentences in 2015 for those who carry out FGM.

Lawmaker Almameh Gibba presented the repeal bill earlier this month, arguing that the ban violates citizens’ rights to practice their culture and religion. Gambia is an overwhelmingly Muslim country.

“If the law is reversed in Gambia, there is a risk that the advocacy efforts in subsequent countries … will fail or go back,” said Caroline Lagat, a programme officer at Equality Now. “In countries that have adopted the law, we might see pro-FGM activists using Gambia as a case and example of changing the law on the basis of culture,” she said.

Gambia’s ban, adopted under autocratic ex-president Yahya Jammeh, has faced pushback in Gambia, particularly since President Adama Barrow came to power in 2017.

Three women were fined last August for carrying out FGM on eight infant girls, becoming the first people convicted under the law.

The Gambia Supreme Islamic Council responded to the verdict by saying female circumcision was one of the virtues of Islam.