The Gambia: Community Leaders Say FGM Not Justified by Religion
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Many in The Gambia see female genital mutilation (FGM) as a religious duty for Muslim women, but some religious leaders think the practice should be outlawed. Joining the call by women’s rights organizations, imams and traditional chiefs want a law banning FGM. In The Gambia’s Central River Region, chiefs recently gave their public support for the end of this practice, following an informational campaign which identified the negative effects of FGM on women's health. In an effort to follow the protocol on the rights of women in Africa, the government has said it plans to pass a law prohibiting FGM.
Compiled from: Fominyen, George, Gambians told female circumcision is not religious obligation-paper, TrustLaw, Sexual Violence Research Initiative (3 January 2012).
For More Information:
See the Female Genital Mutilation section of this website.
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