Says Country Director
By: Arret Jatta
The Country Director of the World Bank (WB), Keiko Miwa, said WB “is very” concerned about discussions at the National Assembly geared towards repealing the anti-FGM/C legislation.
Legislator Almamy Gibba on Monday tabled a bill, seeking the repeal of the anti-FGM law.
If the bill gets through, female circumcision will once again become legal in The Gambia almost a decade after it was prohibited by law.
Speaking on Wednesday during the commemoration of International Women’s Day at Sir Dawda KairabaJawara International Conference Centre in Bijilo, the World Bank country boss said: “We are very concerned that the National Assembly is engaged in discussions to repeal the Women’s (Amendment) Act, which includes the law criminalizing the practice of FGM. Such a move would be a significant setback in the fight for women’s empowerment and the protection of their fundamental rights. It is imperative that the Government of The Gambia takes a clear stance against this bill.”
