Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Mr. Gaye TheVoice
Published on 2024-03-18 08:16:41
The upcoming vote in Gambia’s parliament on a bill to reverse the ban on female genital mutilation (FGM) has sparked concern among human rights advocates. Michèle Eken, a senior researcher at Amnesty International’s West and Central Africa office, expressed disappointment and urged parliament to vote against the bill.
Eken emphasized the dangers of legalizing FGM, stating that it would set a dangerous precedent for women’s rights and tarnish Gambia’s human rights record. She highlighted the long fight that Gambian activists have put up to advance women’s rights, making the potential reversal of the ban even more concerning.
According to Eken, female genital mutilation infringes on girls and women’s right to health and bodily integrity. Legalizing it would not only violate international conventions and agreements that Gambia has ratified, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, but also the principle of ‘equal dignity of the person’ guaranteed in the Gambian Constitution.
Eken called on the Gambian government to address the root causes and drivers of FGM and implement comprehensive policies for women and girls’ empowerment, to enable them to claim and exercise their human rights effectively.
The potential vote in parliament has raised concerns about the future of women’s rights in Gambia and the government’s commitment to upholding international human rights standards. Activists and advocates are watching closely and calling for parliament to reject the bill in order to protect the rights and well-being of girls and women in the country.
As the debate continues, it is essential for civil society organizations, human rights defenders, and the international community to continue supporting efforts to eliminate harmful practices like FGM and promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in Gambia and beyond.
The issue of FGM is not just a cultural or traditional practice; it is a violation of human rights that can have serious physical and psychological consequences for girls and women. By standing against the legalization of FGM, parliament has the opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to promoting and protecting the rights of all individuals, regardless of gender.
In conclusion, the potential reversal of the ban on female genital mutilation in Gambia is a concerning development that could have far-reaching implications for women’s rights and human rights in the country. It is crucial for parliament to reject the bill and uphold the international commitments and principles that Gambia has agreed to as a member of the global community.
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