Threats to #EndFGM Law in The Gambia
Posted: 22 March, 2024 Filed under: Musu Bakoto Sawo, Satang Nabaneh | Tags: ACERWC, African Commission and the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, anti-FGM campaigners, bodily integrity, cultural heritage, female circumcision, female genital mutilation, fgm, gender-based violence, human rights, Imam Abdoulie Fatty, international outcry, lack of information, legal instruments, Maputo Protocol, Private Member’s Bill, protection of human rights, religious beliefs, The Gambia, Women's Act of 2010, Women’s (Amendment) Act of 2015, Women’s (Amendment) Bill 2024, Yahya Jammeh 18 CommentsAuthor: Satang Nabaneh Legal Scholar & Human Rights Practitioner |
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Author: Musu Bakoto Sawo Gambian feminist and human rights lawyer |
In 2015, The Gambia introduced legislation banning female genital mutilation (FGM) through an amendment of the Women’s Act of 2010, following decades of advocacy and sensitization efforts led by civil society organisations (CSOs) and community groups. Section 32A of the Women’s (Amendment) Act of 2015 makes it an offence for any person to engage in female circumcision. Whoever contravenes it is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment of three years or a fine or both. The Act also stipulates a life sentence when the circumcision results in death. Section 32B (1) addresses those who commission the procedure, stipulating that ‘a person who requests, incites or promotes female circumcision by providing tools or by any other means commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of three years or a fine of fifty thousand Dalasis or both’. In addition, a fine of ten thousand Dalasis (approximately $153) as provided in section 32B (2) of the Act is levied against anyone who knows about the practice and fails to report it without a good cause.