In a significant decision, Gambian lawmakers have voted against a controversial bill seeking to overturn the 2015 ban on female genital mutilation (FGM). The Women's (Amendment) Bill 2024, which aimed to decriminalize the practice of female circumcision, garnered attention and raised concerns among rights groups. However, the bill was rejected after a heated debate and international pressure.

The bill had initially passed a second reading in March with only five out of 53 lawmakers voting against it, creating fears that The Gambia would be the first country to reverse a ban on FGM. The practice has deeply divided public opinion in the Muslim-majority West African nation.

Introduced by MP Almameh Gibba, the bill argued that FGM was a longstanding cultural and religious practice. However, anti-FGM campaigners and international rights groups maintained that it constitutes a harmful violation against women and girls. The 2015 landmark ban on FGM made the practice punishable by up to three years in prison.

On Monday, lawmakers voted on each of the bill's clauses, with a majority voting against each one. This prompted National Assembly Speaker Fabakary Tombong Jatta to halt the bill's progression to a final reading. "The Assembly cannot waste time allowing the bill to proceed to a third reading," Jatta stated after the votes. "The bill is rejected and the legislative process is exhausted."

The rejection of the bill was met with table banging in the crowded parliamentary chamber, reflecting the intense emotions surrounding the topic. The World Health Organization has emphasized that FGM has no health benefits and can result in severe complications such as excessive bleeding, shock, psychological distress, and even death. The practice involves the partial or total removal of the external genitalia, leading to grave health issues such as infections, bleeding, infertility, and childbirth complications.

The Gambia ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest rates of FGM, with UNICEF citing that 73 percent of women and girls aged 15 to 49 have undergone the procedure according to 2024 figures. A recent UN report highlighted that globally, over 230 million girls and women are survivors of FGM.

The decision to uphold the ban on FGM in The Gambia is being hailed as a victory for women's rights and a step towards protecting the health and well-being of girls and women. It reaffirms The Gambia's commitment to eradicating this harmful practice and sets an important precedent for other countries grappling with the issue. The international community continues to work towards ending FGM and ensuring the well-being of all individuals affected by this violation of human rights.