The government of Gambia is considering repealing its ban on female genital mutilation (FGM), a practice that the United Nations estimates some 230 million women globally have suffered. Gambia's National Assembly advanced a bill on March 18 that would repeal the nation's ban that was enacted in 2015, and it would make Gambia the first nation in the world to reverse its ban of FGM. Such a repeal would be a violation of human rights for women and girls, including the right to life and freedom from torture. The push to repeal the ban flared up in August 2023, after three women became the first Gambians to be fined for performing FGM. The proposed repeal will be considered again at the next National Assembly session in June.
Compiled from: Diane Cole, "The Gambia is debating whether to repeal its ban on female genital multilation," NPR, March 22, 2024.