The Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa (SRRWA), on behalf of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), has expressed serious concerns about recent attempts to reverse laws against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in some African countries, particularly highlighting a worrying case in The Gambia.
In a statement to mark the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM, Vice-Chairperson and Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa of the ACHPR, Janet Ramatoulie Sallah-Njie, pointed to The Gambia’s recent attempt to repeal its 2015 Women’s Act that made FGM illegal.
The commission stated the move by The Gambia calls for the urgent need for sustained vigilance, advocacy, and legal protection for women and girls.
The Commission urged African governments to take stronger action by Including anti-FGM messages in school curricula, providing support for FGM survivors, strengthening laws against the practice, and investing in education and empowerment of women and girls.
“Despite decades of advocacy, legal reforms, and community efforts, FGM continues to harm millions of African women and girls physically and psychologically,” Commissioner Sallah-Njie stated.
Sallah-Njie noted that the resurgence of debates around decriminalizing FGM in some African countries highlights the urgent need for sustained vigilance, advocacy, and legal protection for women and girls.
“While legal frameworks are essential, they must be accompanied by robust enforcement mechanisms and community-centered approaches that address the sociocultural drivers of FGM.
“Governments are also expected to invest in education and empower women and girls with the knowledge and resources to resist harmful practices, including FGM,” she added.
While many African countries have made progress by passing laws against FGM and running awareness campaigns, the ACHPR warns that recent developments threaten to undo these achievements.
The Maputo Protocol, which protects women’s rights in Africa, requires all member countries to ban FGM. However, the Commission stressed that laws alone are not enough without proper enforcement and community support.
“We stand in solidarity with survivors and advocates working tirelessly to end this harmful practice and ensure the protection and empowerment of women and girls.
“It is imperative that governments, civil society organizations, and communities take concerted action to eliminate FGM, uphold the rights and dignity of women and girls, and promote gender equality,” the African rights commission expressed.
The SRRWA further reaffirmed its commitment to working with all stakeholders to ensure that the Maputo Protocol’s vision of a continent free from harmful traditional practices is realized.
“Together, we can create a world where every woman and girl can live free from violence, discrimination, and the violation of their fundamental rights,” the statement emphasized, calling for joint action from governments, civil society organizations, and communities to end the practice.