ActionAid “pleased” to see The Gambian parliament uphold its ban on FGM/C

Responding to the vote in The Gambia’s parliament today to uphold the country’s ban on FGM/C, Binta M.L. Ceesay, Women's Rights Manager at ActionAid Gambia, said: 

“Although we regret attempts by campaigners to try and overturn the ban, we are pleased to see politicians live up to their commitments to end FGM/C and all forms of violence against women and girls. With nearly three-quarters of Gambian adolescent girls subjected to this harmful practice, now was not the time to slam the brakes and send progress into reverse. 

Since FGM/C was banned nearly a decade ago, we have made encouraging strides in ending the practice, but it has not been enough. After voting to uphold the ban, we encourage politicians to redouble their efforts in ending this form of violence against women and girls forever.”  

Contact the ActionAid press office on uk.media@actionaid.org or on 07753 973 486.