FGM BAN IN THE GAMBIA UNDER THREAT AS CALLS GROW TO REPEAL LAW

Political and religious leaders in the Gambia are threatening to introduce a bill to decriminalise female genital mutilation, eight years after the practice was outlawed. Members of the country’s national assembly have backed a proposal for the 2015 law to be scrapped while the Supreme Islamic Council has issued a fatwa condemning anyone who denounces the practice and calling for the government to reconsider the legislation. Activists and civil society organisations said the move would be hugely regressive.