By Adama Makasuba
The Women Amendment Act 2024, aimed at lifting the ban on female genital mutilation, was recently rejected by Gambian lawmakers. The decision caused controversy, with 32 members of the national assembly voting against the bill and 20 voting in favor. Following the rejection, advocates of the bill left the parliament chambers in disappointment, urging lawmakers to reconsider and expressing their frustration by calling for the circumcision of girl children.
Imam Abdoulie Fatty and other clerics and women addressed reporters, advising their followers to stay calm and return home. At the same time, they criticized the lawmakers who voted to maintain the ban, cautioning Gambian Muslims against re-electing these MPs in 2027.
Imam Abdoulie Fatty also warned Muslims not to support the 32 lawmakers who opposed the bill, citing religious consequences for their actions. Meanwhile, another advocate of female circumcision, Imam Fakebba Ceesay, accused the lawmakers of potentially leading 2.5 million Gambians into increased prostitution by upholding the ban, claiming that uncircumcised individuals would be more likely to engage in prostitution.
