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Statement


THE GAMBIA’S DECISION TO UPHOLD BAN ON FGM CRITICAL WIN FOR GIRLS’ AND WOMEN’S
RIGHTS


JOINT STATEMENT BY UNICEF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CATHERINE RUSSELL, UNFPA EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR, NATALIA KANEM, WHO DIRECTOR-GENERAL, DR TEDROS ADHANOM GHEBREYESUS, UN
WOMEN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SIMA BAHOUS, AND UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN
RIGHTS, VOLKER TÜRK

15 July 2024
Girls Agenda
 * 
 * English
 * Français
 * Español

BANJUL/GENEVA/NEW YORK, 15 July 2024 – “Following the vote today by the National
Assembly of The Gambia, we commend the country’s decision to uphold the ban on
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), reaffirming its commitments to human rights,
gender equality, and protecting the health and well-being of girls and women. 

“FGM involves cutting or removing some or all of the external female genitalia.
Mostly carried out on infants and young girls, it can inflict severe immediate
and long-term physical and psychological damage, including infection, later
childbearing complications, and post-traumatic stress disorder. 

“The Women’s (Amendment) Act, 2015 – a pivotal 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 Goal targets (5.3). It is, therefore, crucial that these legal
protections remain in place. 

“The decision to maintain the FGM ban aligns with The Gambia's international and
regional commitments to prevent harmful practices against girls and women,
consistent 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 African women’s rights.

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

“The fragility of progress to end FGM cannot be overstated. Assaults on women’s
and girls’ rights in countries around the globe have meant that hard-won gains
are in danger of being lost. In some countries, advancements have stalled or
reversed due to pushback against girls’ and women's rights, instability, and
conflict, disrupting services and prevention programmes. 

“That is why legislative bans on FGM, while a crucial foundation for
interventions, cannot alone end FGM. Today, more than 73 per cent of girls and
women aged 15 to 49 in the country have already undergone this harmful practice,
with many subjected to it before their fifth birthday.  

“Recent months have emphasized the need for continued advocacy to advance gender
equality, end violence against girls and women, and secure the gains made to
accelerate progress to end FGM. It also underscores the importance of engaging
with communities and grassroots organizations, working with traditional,
political, and religious leaders, training health workers, and raising awareness
effectively on the harms caused by the practice.  

“Supporting survivors of FGM remains as urgent as ever. Many suffer from
long-term physical and psychological harm that can result from the procedure,
and need comprehensive medical and psychological care to heal from the scars
inflicted 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
rest 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
upheld." 

### 


MEDIA CONTACTS

Sara Alhattab
UNICEF New York
Tel: +1 917 957 6536
Email: salhattab@unicef.org
Laura Keenan
WHO
Tel: +41 79 500 65 64
Email: keenanl@who.int
Zina Alam
UNFPA New York
Email: zialam@unfpa.org
Ines Esteban Gonzalez
UN Women New York
Email: ines.esteban.gonzalez@unwomen.org
Laura Gelbert
UN Human Rights New York
Email: gelbert@un.org
View all contacts View fewer contacts


ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

When Magfira found out that her best friend, Mekiya, would be forced to undergo
FGM, she alerted the authorities. Mekiya now calls her friend her rescuer.
Read the latest UNICEF global report on FGM.
Download photos on FGM from around the world.


ABOUT UNICEF

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most
disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work
for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.

Follow UNICEF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube


ABOUT UNFPA

UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. UNFPA's
mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth
is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA calls for the
realization of reproductive rights for all and supports access to a wide range
of sexual and reproductive health services, including voluntary family planning,
quality maternal health care and comprehensive sexuality education.

For more information about UNFPA and its work, visit: www.unfpa.org  


ABOUT WHO 

Dedicated to the well-being of all people and guided by science, the World
Health Organization leads and champions global efforts to give everyone,
everywhere an equal chance at a safe and healthy life. We are the UN agency for
health that connects nations, partners and people on the front lines in 150+
locations – leading the world’s response to health emergencies, preventing
disease, addressing the root causes of health issues and expanding access to
medicines and health care. Our mission is to promote health, keep the world safe
and serve the vulnerable. www.who.int   


ABOUT UN WOMEN

UN Women is the UN organization dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment
of women. A global champion for women and girls, UN Women was established to
accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide. For more information,
visit www.unwomen.org. UN Women, 220 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017, New
York. Tel: +1 646 781-4400. Fax: +1 646 781-4496. For more information,
visit www.unwomen.org.


ABOUT UN HUMAN RIGHTS

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN Human Rights) is the
leading UN entity on human rights. We represent the world's commitment to the
promotion and protection of the full range of human rights and freedoms set out
in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

For more information, visit: www.ohchr.org


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Child protection
Female genital mutilation
Gambia
West and Central Africa


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