The Gambia has become the latest country to ban female genital mutilation.
President Yahya Jammeh has finally banned the barbaric practice, which three quarters of women in the west African country are forced to endure, after it was initially criminalised in Nigeria earlier this year.
Female genital mutilation (FGM) involves the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia. The procedure has no health benefits and can cause severe pain, shock, bleeding and problems urinating, and later cysts, infections, infertility as well as complications in childbirth and increased risk of newborn deaths.
More than 125 million women worldwide have suffered FGM and the practice is most popular in Africa and the Middle East.
In December 2012, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on the elimination of FGM, but with three million girls still at risk each year, it is clear that there is more work to do.
Speaking to The Guardian, anti-FGM activist Jaha Dukureh praised President Jammeh for doing the right thing, despite opposition from many in the Gambia who believe that FGM should be allowed because it is permitted in Islam.
“The amazing thing is it’s election season.” she said.”This could cost the president the election. He put women and girls first, this could negatively affect him, but this shows he cares more about women than losing people’s votes,”
Main image: Rebecca Blackwell
