In Gambia, a small West African nation, the debate over female genital mutilation (FGM) is heating up. The country is on the brink of lifting a ban on FGM that was put in place in 2015. If the ban is lifted, Gambia will be the first country to do so.
Opposition to lifting the ban remains strong, with activists and religious groups arguing that FGM is a cultural and religious tradition that should not be suppressed by Western powers. On the other hand, opponents fear that allowing FGM in Gambia could set a dangerous precedent and make it harder to combat the practice globally.
FGM is most commonly practiced in Muslim countries but also occurs in some Christian and animist communities. Countries like Somalia and Gambia have high rates of circumcised girls and women. In Gambia, three-quarters of females are circumcised, with only a slight decrease since the ban was imposed in 2015.
The debate over FGM has brought cultural and religious tensions to a head in Gambia. Some argue that it is a religious imperative, while others see it as a human rights violation with significant health consequences. Activists working to end FGM are concerned about the potential domino effect if the ban is lifted in Gambia and fear that it could lead to further normalization of the practice globally.
Despite efforts by activists to educate communities, provide support for at-risk girls, and challenge cultural norms that perpetuate FGM, enforcement of existing bans on FGM remains weak worldwide. Efforts to eradicate FGM by 2030 are ongoing globally, but success has been slow so far due to political and cultural barriers.
The outcome of the upcoming vote on lifting the ban in Gambia will have significant implications for efforts to eradicate FGM globally and protect women’s rights. Activists will continue their work to raise awareness about the harmful effects of this practice on both individual health outcomes and broader societal issues such as gender equality and human rights.