Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL) – In a concerted effort to safeguard the rights and well-being of women and girls in The Gambia, a coalition of concerned citizens, led by the Nyang-Sanneh Institute, has petitioned President Adama Barrow to uphold the ban on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). The petition, addressed to the President through his Chief of Staff, Mod K. Ceesay, expresses deep concerns about a bill tabled before the National Assembly to reverse the 2015 landmark law banning FGM.
The petitioners, comprising prominent academics, medical professionals, and civil society leaders, argue that repealing the ban would be detrimental to the progress Gambian women and girls have made in recent years. They highlight the health risks associated with FGM, including severe bleeding, infections, and complications in childbirth, emphasizing that the practice has no basis in the teachings of major faiths in The Gambia.
The petition cites Islamic scholars who have rejected FGM as a religious practice, noting that neither the Quran nor the Bible prescribes it. The late Grand Mufti of Al Azhar University, Mohamed Sayed Tantawi, and other respected scholars have explicitly condemned FGM, stating that it is not supported by sound religious references.
The petitioners urge President Barrow and his government to take immediate action to ensure that the proposed legislation to decriminalize FGM is defeated or rejected in the National Assembly. They emphasize that maintaining the ban on FGM is essential to protecting the rights, health, and safety of women and girls in The Gambia.
The petition concludes by calling on the National Assembly and President Barrow to fulfill their duty to protect the rights of women and girls by maintaining the ban on FGM. It is signed by a wide range of individuals, including academics, activists, and community leaders, reflecting the broad support for preserving the ban on FGM in The Gambia.
President Barrow is yet to respond to the petition, but it is hoped that the collective voice of concerned Gambians will persuade the government to uphold the ban on FGM and continue to protect the rights and dignity of women and girls in the country.
List of Petition endorsers
1. Professor Abdoulaye Saine
2. Dr. Baba Galleh Jallow
3. Dr. Ebrima Ceesay
4. Dr. Tijan M. Sallah
5. Dr. Bakary J. Sonko
6. Professor Rudolph Sock
7. Mr. Alieu Demba
8. Mr. Cherno Jallow
9. Dr. Lawalley Cole
10. Mr. Madi Jobarteh
11. Professor James N’Dow
12. Mr. Omar Drammeh
13. Mr. Matarr Baldeh
15. Professor Peter Michael Karibe Mendy
16. Mr. Salieu Taal
17. Professor Karim Sagnia
18. Ms. Isatou Ndow
19. Professor Amina Sillah
20 Dr Baboucarr S. Sarr
21. Mr. Amadou Jallow
22. Mr. Jeggan Grey Johnson
23. Mr. Hamad Sallah
24. Professor Mbemba Jabbi
25. Ms. Soffie Ceesay
26. Dr. Hassan Njai.
27. Ms. Kura K.S. Njai
28. Dr. Malanding Jaiteh
29. Dr. Assan Jallow
30. Professor Michael Banutu-Gomez
40. Mr. Ebrima Chongan
41. Mr. Sainey Faye
42. Professor Assan Jaye
43. Mr. Sering Omar Lowe
44. Mr. Baaba Maxtarr Sillah
45. Mr Amat Sallah
46. Hon. Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang
47. Professor Momodou Sallah
48. Dr Mariama Jaiteh
49. Ms. Fatou Jagne-Senghore
50. Dr. Mat Lowe
51. Mr. Cherno M. Njie
52. Mr Momodou Buharry Gassama
53. Dr Satang Nabaneh
54. Ms. Jabou Joh
55. Mr. Famara Sawaneh
56. Mr. Omar O. Jobe
57. Mr Kebba Jatta
58. Ms. Ndey Jobarteh
59. Ms. Fatou Baldeh MBE
60. Ms. Nenneh Bojang
61. Ms. Maria Saine
62. Mr Demba Baldeh
63. Mr Alpha Robinson
64. Dr Alhagi Marong
65. Mr. Tumbul Trawally
66. Ms. Isatu M. Bokum
67. Professor Bala S.K. Saho
68. Hon. Dr Isatou Touray
69. Ms. Aisha Dabo
70. Dr Karamo Sonko
71. Ms Jaha Dukureh
72. Mr. Alieu Saine
73. Mr Omar Sowe
74. Ms. Haddija Jawara
75. Ms. Adelaide Sosseh
76. Mr. Abdou Wally Mbye
77. Mr Amadou Gaye
78. Ms. Cecilia Baldeh
79. Hon. Demba A. Jawo
80. Ms Aisha Baldeh
81. Mrs Hannah Foster
