The United Nations in The Gambia has issued a statement expressing serious concerns over a proposed Private Member’s Bill, the Women’s (Amendment) Bill, 2024, that seeks to lift the ban on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in The Gambia.

The UN reiterated its stance against FGM, highlighting that the repeal of the Women’s Amendment Act (2015) prohibiting FGM would reverse the gains made in protecting the rights of women and girls. The move would also contravene The Gambia’s obligations under international human rights law and continental policy documents.

Citing statistics from the 2020 Gambia Demographic and Health Survey, the UN noted that 73 per cent of Gambian women and girls had been subjected to FGM, with 65 per cent of them being under the age of five. Repealing the ban would expose more girls and women to the harmful effects of FGM, violating their fundamental rights to bodily integrity, life, health, and protection against torture or other cruel treatment.

The statement also referenced the Gambia’s National Conference on FGM, held in February 2024, which reiterated that FGM is a harmful practice deeply rooted in Gambian culture. While acknowledging the rights to culture and religion, the UN emphasized that the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity and General Comment 21 of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights condemn FGM as an act of violence against women.

On the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (6 February 2024), United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for redoubled efforts to end FGM, recognizing the lifelong harm it causes to women and girls.

The United Nations in The Gambia called for continued efforts to combat FGM, including the allocation of appropriate budgets and human resources, implementation, monitoring, and effective enforcement measures on the law prohibiting FGM. It urged national authorities, lawmakers, civil society organizations, and traditional and religious leaders to come together to prioritize the health, well-being, and dignity of all girls and women in The Gambia.

The United Nations reaffirmed its strong commitment to supporting The Gambia’s efforts in upholding and protecting the rights and dignity of all its citizens, including women and girls.