On 28 May 2024, a Roundtable on the Proposed Repeal of the FGM Law in The Gambia and Pushback on Women's Rights and Gender Equality was convened in Banjul. The event was organized by Hon. Commissioner Janet Ramatoulie Sallah-Njie- the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa (SRRWA) of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) in collaboration with Hon. Dr. Commissioner Litha Musyimi-Ogana, the Country Rapporteur of The Gambia, Hon. Hermine Kembo Takam, the Special Rapporteur on Child Marriage and Other Harmful Practices of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, in partnership with UN Women (Sponsor).
Taking place alongside the 79th Ordinary Session of the ACHPR, the Roundtable aimed to address the potential pushback resulting from The Gambia's National Assembly considering a Bill to repeal the 2015 Women's (Amendment) Act, which criminalizes Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). The gathering brought together influential local women leaders, religious leaders, traditional leaders, national institutions, NGO representatives, and government officials. Additionally, representatives from the National Assembly, Diplomatic Corps, UN special mechanisms, development partners, and selected civil society groups participated as observers.
The Roundtable had several objectives, including discussing the implications of repealing the law, establishing a coalition of influential local actors, and identifying strategies and actions for collective action over the next 45 days with a long-term perspective. Special attention was given to the opinions and positions of influential local women, religious leaders, and traditional leaders, recognizing their significant roles in shaping national practices.
The event provided a crucial platform for key national stakeholders to express their views on the ongoing parliamentary debate and share their valuable insights, which overwhelmingly opposed the proposed repeal. Testimonies from FGM survivors were also presented, shedding light on the short- and long-term impacts of the practice. Speakers and participants strongly opposed the repeal and emphasized the need for survivors' voices to be at the center of the discourse. A consensus was reached on the urgent requirement for community engagement and sensitization on FGM, regardless of the law's status, to ensure a unified approach in addressing future challenges to women's rights. The Roundtable proved instrumental in bringing together influential traditional, religious, and women leaders to strategize the way forward. At this juncture, we urge the government of Gambia to support the opposition to the repeal of the law, to make its stance known, and to take the necessary actions to influence the debate in Parliament.
We express our heartfelt gratitude to the Government officials and influential traditional, religious, and women leaders who generously contributed their time to this important discussion and shared their valuable experiences and positions regarding repealing the 2015 Women's Act. We also sincerely thank the participating NGOs, national institutions, and UN agencies for their contributions. Additionally, we sincerely appreciate UN Women for their sponsorship of the event and their role in facilitating the realization of this significant gathering.
- Hon. Commissioner Janet Ramatoulie Sallah-Njie- the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa of the ACHPR
- Hon. Dr. Commissioner Litha Musyimi-Ogana- the Country Rapporteur of The Gambia
- Hon. Hermine Kembo Takam Gatsing-The Special Rapporteur on Child Marriage and Other Harmful Practices of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child
- Kalliopi Mingeirou- Chief, Ending Violence Against Women, UN Women
