Gambia's decision to support a ban on female genital mutilation is crucial for the rights of girls and women

A joint statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, UNFPA Executive Director Natalie Kanem, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk

“Following today's vote in The Gambia's National Assembly, we applaud the country's decision to support a ban on female genital mutilation (FGM), reaffirming its commitment to human rights, gender equality and protecting the health and well-being of girls and women.

“FGM involves the cutting or removal of some or all of the external female genitalia. It is mainly performed on infants and young girls, and can cause serious immediate and long-term physical and psychological harm, including infection, later complications in childbirth and post-traumatic stress disorder.

“The Women (Amendment) Act of 2015 – a key milestone in advancing gender equality – is the culmination of years of advocacy, community engagement and education aimed at eradicating this harmful practice and meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (5.3). It is therefore crucial that these legal protections remain in place.

“The decision to maintain the ban on female genital mutilation is in line with The Gambia's international and regional obligations to prevent harmful practices against girls and women, in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the African Charter on the rights and welfare of the child and the Maputo Protocol protecting the rights of African women.

“In addition to recognizing this critical decision by the national parliament, we commend the tireless efforts of survivors, activists, civil society organizations and religious groups working to end FGM. Supporting the ban supports these grassroots initiatives, which are critical to ending all forms of violence, including harmful practices, against girls and women and ensuring a safer and healthier future for girls and women in The Gambia and elsewhere.

“The fragility of progress in ending female genital mutilation cannot be overstated. Attacks on the rights of women and girls in countries around the world have meant that hard-won gains are at risk of being lost. In some countries, progress has been halted or reversed due to the denial of girls' and women's rights, instability and conflict, hampering services and prevention programs.

“That's why legal bans on female mutilation, although they are a key basis for interventions, cannot stop female mutilation by themselves. Today, more than 73 percent of girls and women between the ages of 15 and 49 in the country have already undergone this harmful practice, many before their fifth birthday.

“Recent months have highlighted the need to continue advocating for the advancement of gender equality, ending violence against girls and women, and securing the results achieved to accelerate progress in ending female genital mutilation. It also emphasizes the importance of cooperation with communities and local organizations, working with traditional, political and religious leaders, training health workers and effectively raising awareness of the harms this practice causes.

“Support for survivors of FGM remains as urgent as ever. Many suffer long-term physical and psychological injuries that can result from the procedure, and require comprehensive medical and psychological care to heal from the scars caused by this harmful practice.

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to support the government, civil society and communities in The Gambia in the fight against FGM. Together, we must not stop until we ensure that all girls and women can live free from violence and harmful practices and that their rights, bodily integrity and dignity are respected.”