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