All articles tagged with #gambia
The Gambia's supreme court is hearing a case to overturn the ban on female genital mutilation (FGM), amid protests from religious leaders and some MPs who argue it infringes on cultural and religious freedoms. Despite FGM being criminalized in 2015 and associated health risks, efforts to decriminalize it continue, reflecting a broader global regression in women's rights and ongoing cultural debates.
At least seven people have died and dozens are missing after a boat carrying around 200 migrants capsized off Gambia while attempting to reach the Canary Islands, highlighting the dangers of the increasingly perilous Atlantic route used by African migrants trying to reach Europe.
Three women in Gambia have been charged following the death of a one-month-old girl who underwent female genital mutilation, highlighting ongoing debates and enforcement challenges despite the country's ban on the practice since 2015. The incident has sparked calls for stricter law enforcement and renewed discussions about cultural traditions versus women's rights.
Gambian activists, including Jaha Dukureh and Absa Samba, celebrated as the country's parliament voted 34 to 19 to uphold the ban on female genital mutilation (FGM), rejecting a bill to reverse it. The decision comes amid intense debate and opposition from conservative clerics. The vote is seen as a significant victory for human rights advocates and sends a strong message globally, especially to countries considering similar bans.
Gambia's lawmakers have upheld a ban on female genital cutting, rejecting a bill that would have made it the first country to reverse such a ban. The decision follows intense debate and activism highlighting the severe health risks and human rights violations associated with the practice. Despite the ban, enforcement has been weak, and the practice remains prevalent in the country.
Gambia's National Assembly has rejected a bill to repeal the ban on female genital cutting, a significant win for women's rights advocates after a year of intense debate. The decision follows a major education campaign by activists, doctors, and survivors highlighting the practice's harmful effects. Despite opposition from some religious leaders, the ban remains in place, preserving protections established in 2015.
Gambia's parliament has rejected a bid to overturn the 2015 ban on female genital mutilation (FGM), maintaining the law despite pressure from religious groups. The decision upholds penalties including fines and prison sentences for those who perform FGM, a practice that has affected 73% of Gambian women aged 15-49. Human rights organizations and the UN have condemned efforts to repeal the ban, calling it a critical measure for protecting women's rights.
Gambia's parliament has upheld a 2015 ban on female genital mutilation (FGM) by rejecting the Women’s (Amendment) Bill 2024, which sought to decriminalize the practice. The bill had passed a second reading but faced significant opposition from rights groups and international pressure. Lawmakers voted against each clause of the bill, preventing it from moving to a final reading. The 2015 ban on FGM remains in place, making the practice punishable by up to three years in prison.
In Gambia, a nationwide debate is ongoing about potentially repealing the ban on female genital mutilation (FGM), a practice that affects three-quarters of Gambian women. Fatou Saho, who vowed never to subject her daughter to FGM, discovered her daughter had been cut without her knowledge, highlighting the challenges of enforcing the ban and securing justice. Despite a parliamentary committee recommending the ban be maintained, the final vote is pending, and the practice continues with little accountability.
Gambia's parliament debated a bill seeking to repeal the landmark law banning female genital mutilation (FGM), sparking protests as religious groups pushed for the law to be overturned. The motion was referred to a parliamentary committee for further review, with the deputy speaker expressing support for the FGM ban. The law, enacted in 2015, imposed fines and prison sentences for engaging in the practice, but pro-Islamic groups and lawmakers have campaigned for its repeal. Human rights organizations and activists have strongly opposed the move, emphasizing the importance of protecting women's rights and condemning any attempt to roll back the progress made in prohibiting FGM.
Gambia's National Assembly has voted to advance a bill that would overturn the ban on female genital cutting, potentially making it the first nation in the world to roll back such a protection. The decision has sparked a national dialogue about religion, culture, patriarchy, and reproductive health, with many survivors and activists opposing the move, citing the physical and emotional harm caused by the practice. The bill's proponents argue that it upholds religious rights and cultural norms, setting the stage for months of national dialogue and possible amendments before a final vote.
Lawmakers in Gambia have sent for further committee discussions a bill that seeks to reverse the 2015 ban on female genital cutting, a practice often performed on girls under age 5. Activists fear that lifting the ban would undermine years of work to protect girls and women, and worry that other laws safeguarding women’s rights could be repealed next. The bill is backed by religious conservatives and aims to uphold religious purity and safeguard cultural norms and values, but opponents argue that the practice causes harm and has no benefit. If the bill eventually passes through parliament, President Adama Barrow is expected to sign it into law.
Lawmakers in Gambia are set to vote on a bill that seeks to repeal the ban on female genital mutilation (FGM), potentially making the country the first to reverse such a prohibition. The practice, which involves the partial or full removal of external genitalia, is widely performed on young girls in parts of Africa and is incorrectly believed to control women's sexuality. The bill is backed by religious conservatives and aims to uphold religious purity and cultural norms, but activists fear it could lead to the erosion of other laws safeguarding women's rights. The United States has supported activists opposing the practice, and the bill has sparked protests outside Gambia's parliament. If passed, the bill is expected to be signed into law by President Adama Barrow.
Gambian lawmakers are set to vote on repealing a ban on female genital mutilation (FGM), which was implemented in 2015. The proposal to repeal the ban has sparked debate, with proponents arguing that it infringes on cultural and religious rights, while activists emphasize the health risks and human rights violations associated with FGM. Despite a decline in FGM prevalence since the ban, concerns have been raised that repealing the law could set a dangerous precedent for other countries and undermine global efforts to eradicate the practice.
Lawmakers in Gambia are set to vote on repealing a 2015 ban on female genital cutting, potentially becoming the first nation to roll back protections against the practice. Critics fear that overturning the ban could set a dangerous precedent and undo decades of work to end female genital cutting, which is deeply rooted in cultural and traditional beliefs. If the bill passes, it may open the door for other countries to take similar action, sparking concerns about the potential erosion of laws protecting women and girls.