By Adeline G11

The impending decision by the Gambian parliament will preserve or threaten women’s rights and bodily autonomy.

In 2015, the Gambian parliament passed the Women’s Act, which banned female genital mutilation (FGM). FGM is a practice in which some or all of the vulva is removed done in some countries in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. It was estimated in 2023 that at least 200 million girls in 31 countries had undergone FGM. The practice is illegal in most countries, but more than half of all girls who have undergone FGM live in countreis where it is illegal, indicating that the legality of the practice does not eradicate it.

The practice of FGM indicates deep-rooted gender inequality and is a form of discrimination between sexes.

Gambia passed the Women’s Act in 2015, banning FGM nationally, but similarly to other countries, the practice continued. Despite its illegality, only three people have been convicted since the ban was put into place, but this was enough to spark protests in support of FGM in August of 2023. As a result, Gambia’s parliament will decide whether to repeal the ban in June. Activists worry that this will lead to further erosion of women’s rights, such as repealing laws against child marriage and a spill-over effect in neighbouring countries.

Supporters of FGM claim that it is part of their religion, despite how it is not mentioned in the Qaran. It is often referred to as female circumcision despite how there is no medical reason for it to be done, and is often considered necessary for marriage or religious reasons. Girls who are “uncut” are often bullied and seen as less than.

Protests against FGM indicate the extent to which it is a part of Gambain culture. The solution to ending FGM is not an easy one, and each community has different beliefs so no one intervention will work in every case. FGM is considered part of their cultural identity, and many proponents of the practice claim that the stance that FGM is harmful is a modern idea coming from the West.

FGM is a matter of human rights. There is often no consent, due to the young age of the girls undergoing the procedure, and there are many harmful side effects including but not limited to infertility, infection, post traumatic stress disorder, and even death.

Protecting women’s rights is essential, especially in developing countries. In recent years there has been a pattern of reversal of legislation that protects women’s rights, such as the reversal of Roe v. Wade, which indicates a worrying trend towards a world that perpetuates systems of patriarchal control. Without sufficient political action, things will only get worse for women’s rights, both in Gambia and throughout the world. We tend to think that we are living in a time that is better than ever for equality, and while this is true in many ways, we are not as secure in our liberties as we would like to think. Change must happen immediately if we are to have any hope at securing a better future for our children