Rights groups and the United Nations have warned that overturning the ban would make Gambia the first country to roll back protections against “cutting”, a centuries-old ritual based on traditional ideas of sexual purity and obedience.
The legislation to make female genital cutting a criminal offence was approved nine years ago but the practice has not been eradicated, though the government has targeted an end to the practice in the mainly Muslim West African state by 2030.
But in March, the National Assembly put forward an amendment to the law that now is being considered by a parliamentary commission, which is to present its findings in the coming days.
“While awaiting its outcome, the government remains committed to enforcing the prohibition of FGM in The Gambia,” Barrow said, without elaborating on what course of action he might take if the amendment is passed.
The US State Department said this month that Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Barrow over the issue to make clear that Washington opposed what he termed “horrific” practices, and would be “incredibly concerned” if the ban were rescinded.
The UN children’s agency UNICEF defines FGM as “all procedures involving the partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons”.
It can lead to serious health problems including infections, bleeding, infertility and complications in childbirth, and impairs sexual pleasure.
The issue has divided public opinion in The Gambia for months.
According to UNICEF, Gambia is one of ten main countries where the practice continues despite the 2015 ban, with an estimated 73 per cent of women and girls aged 15 to 49 having undergone the procedure.
Barrow is caught between international pressure to uphold and enforce the ban and traditionalists who want to see the legislation revoked.
The UN has urged action against the practice following a March report estimating that more than 230 million girls and women worldwide are survivors of FGM.
AFP
