Earlier this month, a UNICEF report on the prevalence of female genital mutilation (FGM) showed that while some success is taking place, the pace of progress remains slow - lagging behind population growth, especially in places where FGM is most common.
London — Earlier this month, a UNICEF report on the prevalence of female genital mutilation showed that while some success is taking place, the pace of progress remains slow - lagging behind population growth, especially in places where FGM is most common.
Just hours before, we had learned from our Gambian colleagues that religious leaders -- predominantly men including politicians -- were voting to repeal a law passed almost 10 years ago by former President Yayah Janneh, which banned the practice of FGM. In that time a law that has saved thousands of girls and women undergoing this devastating human rights abuse.
This is a crucial moment for the FGM campaign, which could have even further negative consequences for Gambian women and girls. This fight is not just a call to repeal the law on FGM but if this request succeeds, we are going to see a widespread roll back on other fundamental rights of women and girls.
I hope that people like UK Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron now stand up to support Gambian women. In 2014, it was under his leadership that thetook place. This helped to catalyse the groundbreaking work that gave rise to the ban.
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