Gambia Assembly Rejects Bill Seeking to Repeal FGM Law

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The Gambia National Assembly Members on Monday 15th July 2024 rejects the Bill Seeking to Repeal the FGM Law.

The National Assembly premises wake up to a bustling crowd from both Anti-FGM and Pro-FGM Groups, Organisations and individuals interested in or advocating for or against the FGM Law.

After the verdict, activists, advocates and women-led organisations took to their various Social Media platforms to express their opinions on the issue.

Sharing his opinion on the rejected Bill, the Deputy Permanent Secretary Technical at the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare Mr Kajali Sonko said the repeal of the Women's (Amendment) Act 2015 would have been a serious derogation from the Gambia's obligations to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of women and girls.


He said the Ministry of Gender Children and Social Welfare applauded the rejection of the Bill by the National Assembly.


He added that this is indeed a landmark achievement for all Human Rights Activists. “We shall continue to remain steadfast and committed to protecting and fulfilling the rights of women and girls,” he said. 


On the way forward, he said there is a need for more advocacy for law enforcement to implement the Women’s (Amendment) Act 2015.

He said the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare wishes to express its appreciation of the efforts of all development partners, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society organisations (CSOs) for their continued support and reiterate the Ministry's commitment to advancing gender equality and protecting the rights of women and girls in The Gambia.


Sharing her opinion Fatou Baldeh CEO of Women in Liberation said “I am relieved the bill seeking to lift the ban on FGM/C has been repealed, but I am sad that the lives of Gambian girls have been put on the line,” she said.


She added that whilst she is relieved to see the ban against FGM in The Gambia has been retained, It is not a victory because 5 out of 10 girls under 14 years have undergone FGM and 7 out of 10 women between the ages of 15-49 have already been cut.

She said to end FGM, they must amplify their efforts and fight.

"We must also ensure that this law is now effectively enforced. It took 8 years after the law was enacted to have a conviction despite FGM being carried out with impunity. This cannot happen moving forward,” she said.


Dr. Touray, Former Vice President of the Gambia and CEO of GAMCOTRAP said “Today marks a historic day in Gambia as the National Assembly has rejected the bill that sought to repeal the ban on FGM. This victory belongs to all of us. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the activists, advocates, organizations, and allies in parliament who have supported this cause.”


She said the fight was far from over. “We must continue our advocacy to build on this win and ensure that all girls and women in Gambia lead healthy and productive lives,” she said.


While this is a win for Human Rights defenders and the anti-FGM campaigners, the pro-FGM campaigners including some religious scholars in support of the practice are still firm in their beliefs.


This shows that to curb the misinformation coming from scholars that FGM is a religious Practice, there is a need for awareness-raising campaigns and programs both online and offline to target these groups of people.

There is also a need for the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare to engage the judiciary and the police to ensure that the law banning FGM in the Gambia is enforced.

FGM cases reported to the police across the length and breadth of the Gambia should not be treated like a private family matter but a gross Human Rights violation of our children.


We called on the Government to engage the IGP to enforce the law on people who are found wanting.

Author: Halimatou Ceesay 

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