The Gambian government is discussing lifting the ban on female genital mutilation (FGM) this month. Some Gambian members of parliament believe that declaring the practice illegal is an attack on cultural and religious freedom.
Cape Town — The Gambian government is discussing lifting the ban on female genital mutilation this month. Some Gambian members of parliament believe that declaring the practice illegal is an attack on cultural and religious freedom.
Former president Yahya Jammeh imposed the ban in 2015, now leaders like Imam Abdoullie Fatty defend the practice:"The Gambian constitution should take precedence over any other law or protocol. The West should stop imposing issues on us that could create instability in this country. We cannot allow them to arrest and imprison our mothers and our grandmothers because they practice their religious rights and cultural beliefs.
Breaking the law means heavy fines and prison sentences for perpetrators. A second reading of the bill for the decriminalization of FGM is scheduled for March 18, 2024, in the Gambian Parliament.). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material,, representing a diversity of positions on every topic.
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