On the proposed repeal of the law banning female genital mutilation in The Gambia
B-9-2024-0242
on behalf of the Renew Group · Rapporteur: Svenja Hahn, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Izaskun Bilbao Barandica, Fabio Massimo Castaldo, Dita Charanzová, Olivier Chastel, Bernard Guetta, Michael Kauch, Moritz Körner, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Jan-Christoph Oetjen, Urmas Paet, Dragoş Pîslaru, Frédérique Ries, María Soraya Rodríguez Ramos, Ramona Strugariu, Dragoş Tudorache, Hilde Vautmans
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This resolution responds to The Gambia's proposed repeal of its 2015 law banning female genital mutilation (FGM). Parliament is alarmed and calls on the Gambian parliament to maintain the ban, and on the government to strengthen prevention efforts.¶¶¶ It recalls that FGM is a human rights violation, urges the Commission and the European External Action Service to step up dialogue with Gambian authorities, and expresses solidarity with those working to end the practice.¶¶¶
Key points
- Is alarmed by efforts to repeal the Women’s Amendment Act (2015) prohibiting FGM in The Gambia.¶
- Calls on the Gambian parliament to maintain the ban on FGM, demonstrating commitment to international human rights law.¶
- Calls on the Gambian government to strengthen prevention and address root causes through enforcement, community interventions, health services, and opportunities for women and girls.¶
- Recalls that FGM is a human rights violation, not justified by culture or religion, and causes severe health consequences; repeal would undermine Sustainable Development Goal 5.¶
- Calls on the Commission and the European External Action Service to step up dialogue with Gambian authorities to prioritise FGM and other harmful practices.¶
- Stands in solidarity with survivors, activists, civil society, faith-based organisations, and all working to end FGM.¶
Who is affected
- The Gambian parliament and government, who are urged to maintain the ban and strengthen prevention efforts.¶¶
- The European Commission and the European External Action Service, called on to prioritise dialogue on FGM with Gambian authorities.¶
- Survivors, activists, civil society and faith-based organisations in The Gambia, who receive solidarity.¶
Figures and deadlines
- 73% of Gambian women age 15-49 have been circumcised, according to the 2020 Gambia Demographic and Health Survey.¶
- Over 230 million girls and women worldwide have experienced FGM, a 15 per cent increase (30 million more) compared to eight years ago.