Political situation in Gambia

Women celebrate end to female genital mutilation - imams promise consequences

Celebrations erupted outside the Gambian parliament after it today voted down a motion to decriminalize female genital mutilation. This is reported by several media.

- I am so proud of Gambia's women who never gave up. We refused to let go, says Fatouh Baldeh to the Washington Post. She is one of the women who protested the bill and who is celebrating today.

However, Abdoulie Fatty, one of the imams behind the motion, says that he and many of his colleagues will campaign against the parliamentarians who voted no in the next election.

- We are imams. The people listen to us.

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Decided: FGM is not allowed in The Gambia

The Gambia will not allow female genital mutilation in the future. It is clear after a vote in the country's parliament today, AFP reports.

Female genital mutilation was initially banned in The Gambia in 2015, but a motion tabled in March this year proposed that so-called "female circumcision" should once again be decriminalized.

The motion has led to fierce debate in the country, where 73 percent of women between 15 and 49 have undergone genital mutilation.

According to AFP, many members of parliament pounded the table and celebrated after today's vote.

- I judge that the motion has been voted down and that the process is thus finished, said Fabakary Tombong Jatta, the speaker of the parliament.