Stakeholders recently converged in Banjul, The Gambia, where key advocates discussed ways to solidify their efforts in the fight against female genital mutilation (FGM).
The two-day workshop, which included civil society organizations and frontline players, aimed to foster national and regional advocacy efforts to protect women and girls from this harmful practice.
The discussions focused on strategies to reinforce The Gambia’s commitment to ending FGM, with participants sharing best practices and exploring new approaches for effective advocacy. Stakeholders reiterated their dedication to ensuring the enforcement of laws protecting women and girls, despite recent concerns about a possible reversal of the FGM ban.
Earlier this year, a vote by lawmakers to advance a bill raised fears that the current ban on FGM might be overturned, leading to widespread campaigns by rights activists, including doctors and religious figures, emphasizing the severe health risks associated with the practice.
This workshop represents a pivotal step in ensuring that the advocacy against FGM remains strong, as stakeholders and activists vowed to continue their work in safeguarding the future of women and girls.
Report by Sang Donal Mendy
