By: Arret Jatta
The attempts at the National Assembly to abrogate the 2015 anti-FGM/C legislation have split opinion among some Gambian women.
While some want the law repealed because FGM/C is an entrenched religious and traditional practice, there were female voices, who want the practice to remain illegal.
Last Monday, the National Assembly Member for FoniKansala, Almamy Gibba, tabled a private member bill to seek the decriminalization of FGM/C in line with his fervent belief that FGM/C is a traditional and religious practice.
Despite the refusal of some female legislators to articulate their position on the raging FGM/C debate, this reporter sampled the views of some Gambian women on the ongoing national discourse.
“I think anybody found wanting for practicing FGM should be held accountable. This is such a harmful practice that it should not have a place in our society. Research, data, and studies over the years have shown the negative impact FGM has on the health of women and girls,” young female activist Lala Touraysaid.
“As someone, who had gone through FGM myself, I would not like to see any other girl go through it,” she added.
Also wading into the debate is the president of the Women Journalists’ Association Annete Camara.
“I firmly advocate against the repeal of the FGM/C law in our country. The law serves as a crucial safeguard to protect the rights, health, and well-being of girls and women in The Gambia,” she emphasized.
She underlined the importance of acknowledging the “significant” progress made in recent years, regarding FGM/C in The Gambia, highlighting that the passage of the 2015 anti-FGM/C legislation was a watershed moment, reflecting the commitment of the government of former President Yahya Jammeh to eradicate “this harmful practice”.
“Repealing this law would undermine these efforts and jeopardize the progress made towards ending FGM/C,” she pointed out.
Ms. Camara suggested means for the total FGM/C eradication aside from the application of the law.
“There are alternative approaches to ending FGM/C that focus on education, community dialogue, and support for survivors. Rather than repealing the law, we should invest in comprehensive strategies that address the root causes of FGM/C and promote positive cultural change,” she suggested.
However, for the 23-year-old Nyima Jarju, FGM/C is a traditional practice that people should be allowed to practice without let or hindrance.
“And those, who don’t want to practice, should be free. It’s as simple as that,” she contended.
When approached for his view of the FGM/C debate, reproductive health specialist and health researcherPhoebia Sanyang said healthcare workers are well aware of the dangers associated with FGM.
“I have seen a lot of evidence when it comes to FGM, how traumatic it is when it starts at the age of puberty, how girls suffer during menstruation, how pregnant women suffer during delivery, and how married women suffer when having sexual intercourse with their husbands. These women don’t even have sexual pleasure. So, I believe if all women come together and say no to FGM, it will stop,” she stated.
She also explained how FGM/C does not only affect women but men as well.
“It affects men, psychologically. For instance, you can have a brother, and your brother seeing you as a woman who has undergone FGM, having issues like dysmenorrhea [menstrual cramps or period pain] during your period, he will always feel your pain and it affects men. A man would be psychologically affected when he sees his wife having obstructed labor during delivery because everything is not there. The clitoris, which is supposed to protect or help the woman, is not there. It’s only a hole that is there. It’s very traumatic,” she deplored.
Ms. Sanyang advised that if push comes to shove, FGM should be practiced voluntarily.
“If they want to continue with FGM, let them make it voluntary,” she stated. The reproductive health specialist opined that girls should be given the latitude at the consent age to choose whether they should be cut or not.
Meanwhile, The Gambia was the first African country to criminalize FGM and many believe the current discussion around repealing the FGM/C law on the floor of the National Assembly represents a major setback in the fight against FGM/C.