Gambia president bans FGM, activists demand law to ‘save countless lives’

Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has banned female genital mutilation (FGM) with immediate effect, but campaigners said on Tuesday a law is needed to “save countless lives” in the West African nation where three-quarters of women have been cut. Jammeh announced the ban late on Monday during his annual tour of the country, Information Minister Sheriff Bojang said in a Facebook post. “(Jammeh) has declared in the last few minutes that FGM or female circumcision has been banned in The Gambia with immediate effect!!!” he wrote.

President Jammeh’s declaration sends a clear message to the world, but enacting a law urgently will send an even stronger signal.

Anti-FGM activist Jaha Dukureh

Seven out of nine ethnic groups in the predominantly Muslim country carry out FGM, an ancient ritual which is shrouded in secrecy and widely condemned elsewhere as a serious violation of women’s rights. FGM affects an estimated 140 million girls and women across a swathe of Africa and parts of the Middle East and Asia, and is seen by many families as a gateway to marriage and a way of preserving a girl’s virginity. Uncut girls are often ostracised.

The whole country has been calling for change and for a law - we are moving towards zero tolerance of FGM.

Isatou Touray, Gambia’s highest-profile campaigner against FGM

Africa FGM