Communiqué regarding the legalisation of female genital mutilation in Gambia
The Gambia National Assembly voted this past Wednesday, 20 March, in favour of a bill to repeal the ban on female genital mutilation (FGM). This practice, which threatens the health and rights of women, has been prohibited by law in this country for 20 years. From the Fundació Autònoma Solidària we denounce this act and wish to share a video with the views of young women who raise their voice against this giant step backwards.
22/03/2024
The National Assembly of The Gambia voted on Wednesday 20 April in favour of a bill to repeal the ban on female genital mutilation. This traditional practice was banned by law in 2015, after years of struggle by various social movements in favour of human rights.
In view of this situation, the Fundació Autònoma Solidària, which since 2022 has taken on the responsibilities of the Wassu Foundation, specialising in FGM research and transformation, wishes to express its rejection to a setback in the rights of women in this country.
We are particularly concerned that, in these times of generalised advances of totalitarian ideas and simple answers to the challenges of humanity, Gambia joins the ranks of countries where already-existing rights are receding. Even more so when the experience of Gambia could serve as an example for other countries in which there may also be an interest in legalising the violent practice of female genital mutilation.
As the Wassu Foundation has done in recent years, we join in denouncing this imminent danger of legalising the violation of rights, and we will continue to work to accompany young people in the education and fight against this traditional practice of violence against women. We will do so, for example, through the creation of volunteer groups working to raise awareness and denounce these acts, such as the one currently working on the European project Chat+. As part of this project, we are sharing on Instagram a video featuring young women, men and women from all over the world. From their homes they have raised their voices against this possible new law and the practice of FGM.
FMG
Internationally recognised as an extreme violation of human rights, FGM perpetuates gender inequality and discrimination, seriously affecting the health and well-being of women and girls. An estimated 600,000 women live with the consequences of FGM in Europe and an additional 190,000 girls and women are at risk of this harmful practice in 17 European countries alone. Furthermore, UNHCR estimates that each year for the past five years at least 20,000 asylum-seeking women and girls arriving in Europe could be affected by FGM.
The CHAT Plus Project - Changing Attitude Plus
The main objective of the CHAT Plus project is to prevent the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Europe through youth engagement with those belonging mainly to the communities in which FGM is still practiced. One of the main actions will be the implementation of a communication campaign aimed at fostering behaviour changes which will be launched in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland and the Netherlands.