On the proposed repeal of the law banning female genital mutilation in The Gambia

B90234/2024

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the proposed repeal of the law banning female genital mutilation in The Gambia

(2024/2699(RSP))

The European Parliament,

having regard to its previous resolution on The Gambia, and resolutions of 8 February 2024 and 12 February 2020;

having regard to the International Covenant on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, Convention on the Rights of the Child, Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment;

having regard to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the Maputo Protocol, and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child;

having regard to the joint statement by the UN Population Fund and UNICEF in The Gambia on 22 March 2024 and the UN in The Gambia statement of February 2024;

having regard to Rules 144(5) and 132(4) of its Rules of Procedure;

whereas The Gambia adopted the Women’s Amendment Act in 2015 criminalising Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), which represents a significant milestone, and the country was seen as a model; whereas The Gambia’s Parliament voted on 18 March 2024 to advance the Women’s Amendment Bill repealing the 2015 Act; whereas it was sent at parliamentary committee level for further scrutiny and amendment before the vote in the coming months;

whereas The Gambia has one of the highest prevalence of FGM in the world; whereas since FGM became illegal in 2015, two cases have been prosecuted and the first conviction was made in August 2023; whereas there were fewer cases and the repeal would result in a new increase of cases;

whereas the repeal would undermine the efforts, progress and achievements made on the protection of the rights, well-being and dignity of women and girls; whereas The Gambia would be the first country in the world to reverse legal protection against this practice, setting a dangerous precedent;

whereas FGM is widely seen as a grave violation of human rights not connected to any religion or culture, and an abusive, exploitative and harmful practice with severe, immediate, long-term psychological and physical health problems; whereas this practice prevents women and girls to reach their full potential and participate fully in society;

Firmly calls on the Parliament to uphold The Gambia obligations under international and regional human rights law by putting an end to the process;

Calls on the EU and the EEAS to maintain active diplomatic engagement with The Gambia and exert strong pressure together with the international community to that end;

Urges the Government to strengthen its efforts to prevent and eliminate this practice through robust enforcement measures and awareness/education efforts to address the root causes and drivers of FGM;

Stands ready to support the Government, international community, civil society organisations, young people, women, and communities to combat FGM, uphold and protect the rights of women and girls;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Vice-President of the European Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the EEAS, the African Union and the Government and Parliament of The Gambia.