Gambia Aims to Be the First Country to Lift Ban

Around the world, 230 million girls have been circumcised, a practice that activists fear may spread to other countries following Gambia’s potential lift of the ban on female genital mutilation. In Gambia, the National Assembly is set to vote on whether to reverse a ban that was implemented in 2015. This move would make Gambia the first country to lift such a ban.

Proponents of genital mutilation argue that it is a religious tradition and oppose Western intervention in preventing the practice. However, opponents worry that Gambia’s decision could set a precedent leading to increased difficulties in combating female genital mutilation globally. According to UNICEF, the number of circumcised girls and women has risen to 230 million, with the majority in African nations.

Female genital mutilation is commonly practiced in Muslim countries, as well as in Christian and animist communities. Somalia has the highest rate of circumcised girls and women at 99%, while Gambia has three-quarters of its female population circumcised. The practice has serious health consequences, including infertility and psychological damage.

Despite efforts to combat female genital mutilation, the practice remains prevalent in many communities. Activists are working to educate populations about the dangers of circumcision and to provide support for girls at risk. The UN aims to end female genital mutilation by 2030, but the challenge remains significant due to cultural resistance and population growth.

Activists are concerned about the potential domino effect of Gambia’s ban reversal and the implications it could have for other countries. Opposition to genital mutilation is based on human rights violations and the adverse health effects associated with the practice. There is ongoing debate between proponents of circumcision, who view it as a religious tradition, and opponents, who seek to protect girls from harm and promote their well-being.