On the proposed repeal of the law banning female genital mutilation in The Gambia
B-9-2024-0229
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group · Rapporteur: Pierrette HerzbergerFofana, Bronis Ropė, Heidi Hautala, Jordi Solé, Hannah Neumann, Erik Marquardt, Henrike Hahn, Francisco Guerreiro, Alviina Alametsä, Ville Niinistö
Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.
The resolution urges Gambia's Parliament to vote against repealing the law banning female genital mutilation (FGM), warning of consequences for bilateral relations and human rights.¶¶ It calls for national strategies to eradicate FGM, EU funding for related services, and implementation of the Victims' Rights Directive for survivors in the EU.¶¶¶
Key points
- Urges Gambia's Parliament to vote against the proposed repeal of the Women's Amendment Act 2015 prohibiting FGM and to prioritise effective application of the existing legal framework.¶
- Calls on the EEAS and EU Delegation to warn that repealing the ban would have serious consequences for bilateral relations with The Gambia.
- Emphasises that lifting the ban would deny Gambian women and girls basic human rights such as bodily integrity, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and freedom from torture.¶
- Underlines that legalising FGM would violate several international conventions ratified by The Gambia and the principle of 'equal dignity of the person' in its Constitution.¶
- Expresses support for Gambian and international anti-FGM activists and women human rights defenders advocating for gender equality and ending harmful practices.¶
- Urges the Gambian Government to fund and implement comprehensive national strategies to eradicate FGM, including educational campaigns, support for survivors, and backing for civil society.¶
- Calls on the Commission to scale up EU external funding for sexual and reproductive health and rights, eliminating harmful practices, fighting gender-based violence, and supporting women human rights defenders.¶
- Calls on the EEAS and EU Delegations to address promotion of sexual and reproductive health and rights, including eliminating FGM, in political dialogues with partner countries and coordinate with other donors.¶
- Urges all Member States to translate the 'Victims' Rights Directive' into national legislation and fully implement it to ensure FGM survivors can access confidential specialist support services and shelters in the EU.¶
Who is affected
- Gambia's Parliament and Government, who are urged to reject the repeal and implement anti-FGM strategies.¶¶
- The EEAS and EU Delegations, who are called on to warn The Gambia and address FGM in dialogues.¶
- The European Commission, which is called on to scale up funding for related services.¶
- EU Member States, which are urged to implement the Victims' Rights Directive for FGM survivors.¶
- Gambian women and girls, who would be affected by the repeal and benefit from the urged actions.¶¶