Defending girls’ rights
In 2015, the Gambian parliament took the historic step to pass the Women’s (Amendment) Act of 2015, which criminalised FGM and made it punishable by up to three years in prison – a significant shift after years of advocacy.
But recently, on March 18, politicians voted 42 to 4 to advance a controversial new bill which would repeal the landmark FGM ban if it passes following further consultation and expert opinion from specialised government ministries.
Almameh Gibba, the legislator who introduced the bill, argued that the ban violated citizens’ rights to practise their culture and religion. “The bill seeks to uphold religious loyalty and safeguard cultural norms and values,” he said.
However, rights organisations say the proposed legislation reverses years of progress and risks damaging the country’s human rights record.
Think Young Women (TYW)
- TYW has engaged communities, championed sensitisation efforts, and empowered youth advocates to combat FGM – even after the law passed in 2015.
- The NGO sees the proposed repeal of the law as a betrayal of women and girls.
- Repealing the law exposes girls to a real threat of being deceived, taken to cutters, mutilated, and then left to deal with the consequences on their physical and mental health.
- Ensuring that the law banning FGM remains will send a strong signal that the Gambian government is committed to its duty to protect all citizens and will not put the interests of a few over the safety of a majority.
Action Aid
- Action Aid campaigns against the repeal of the law – emphasising its crucial role in protecting women and girls from harmful traditional practices and violations of human rights.
- The Women’s Rights Manager at Action Aid highlights the risks posed by FGM, including detrimental effects on sexual and reproductive health and the dangers of untrained circumcisers causing irreparable harm.
- Education is paramount in combating FGM. Comprehensive awareness campaigns are needed, and men must be educated about the dire consequences of FGM.
- Some men, including National Assembly members, advocate for a repeal of the ban due to their ignorance of its harmful effects.
FGM in secret
The Gambia’s Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare has issued a press statement emphasising the country’s progress in combatting FGM since the 1980s.
Although the government supports the ban, it has said it will allow the private members’ bill to follow the due parliamentary process as part of the government’s adherence to democratic principles and the rule of law.
Nevertheless, despite efforts to halt the practice, FGM still affects 73 percent of women aged 15-49 in the country, underlining the continuing challenges.
The future for Gambian women
After the vote on March 18, the bill seeking to reverse the FGM ban was sent to a parliamentary committee for further scrutiny.
In the committee stage, stakeholders will be engaged, public input collected, and expert opinions sought from ministries including the Ministry of Gender, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Justice. The legislation will then be amended and put to another vote – a process that could last weeks or months.
Meanwhile, the future hangs in the balance for Gambian women and girls.
The Gambia Bar Association (GBA) has strongly opposed the proposed repeal of the 2015 law. According to the GBA, repealing the law would undermine the nation’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of girls and women and would violate international and regional human rights treaties.
“The law remains in force unless and until repealed and should therefore be obeyed,” the GBA said, urging the inspector general of police to enforce it rigorously.
However, rights activists and many survivors of the practice remain concerned.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
SDG 5: Gender Equality
- Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early, and forced marriage and female genital mutilation
- Indicator 5.3.1: Proportion of women aged 20-24 years who were married or in a union before age 15 and before age 18
- Indicator 5.3.2: Proportion of girls and women aged 15-49 years who have undergone female genital mutilation/cutting, by age group
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs
- Indicator 3.7.1: Proportion of women of reproductive age (aged 15-49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods
- Indicator 3.7.2: Adolescent birth rate (aged 10-14 years; aged 15-19 years) per 1,000 women in that age group
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all
- Indicator 16.3.2: Unsentenced detainees as a proportion of overall prison population
Analysis
1. The SDGs addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article are SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.
2. The specific targets under those SDGs identified based on the article’s content are:
– Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early, and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
– Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
– Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
3. The indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets are:
– Indicator 5.3.1: Proportion of women aged 20-24 years who were married or in a union before age 15 and before age 18.
– Indicator 5.3.2: Proportion of girls and women aged 15-49 years who have undergone female genital mutilation/cutting, by age group.
– Indicator 3.7.1: Proportion of women of reproductive age (aged 15-49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods.
– Indicator 3.7.2: Adolescent birth rate (aged 10-14 years; aged 15-19 years) per 1,000 women in that age group.
– Indicator 16.3.2: Unsentenced detainees as a proportion of overall prison population.
4. Table presenting the findings:
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|———————–|————————————————————————-|——————————————————————————————————————–|
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early, and forced marriage and female genital mutilation | Indicator 5.3.1: Proportion of women aged 20-24 years who were married or in a union before age 15 and before age 18 |
| | | Indicator 5.3.2: Proportion of girls and women aged 15-49 years who have undergone female genital mutilation/cutting |
| SDG 3: Good Health | Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services | Indicator 3.7.1: Proportion of women of reproductive age (aged 15-49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods |
| and Well-being | | Indicator 3.7.2: Adolescent birth rate (aged 10-14 years; aged 15-19 years) per 1,000 women in that age group |
| SDG 16: Peace, | Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all | Indicator 16.3.2: Unsentenced detainees as a proportion of overall prison population |
| Justice, and Strong | | |
| Institutions | | |
The article discusses the issues of female genital mutilation (FGM), which is addressed by SDG 5: Gender Equality, specifically Target 5.3 to eliminate harmful practices such as FGM. The indicators mentioned in the article, such as the proportion of women who have undergone FGM (Indicator 5.3.2), are relevant for measuring progress towards this target.
The article also highlights the impact of FGM on sexual and reproductive health, which connects to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, particularly Target 3.7 to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services. The indicators mentioned, such as the proportion of women with their need for family planning satisfied (Indicator 3.7.1) and the adolescent birth rate (Indicator 3.7.2), can be used to measure progress towards this target.
Additionally, the article mentions the role of the rule of law and access to justice in addressing FGM, linking to SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, specifically Target 16.3 to promote the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice. The indicator mentioned, unsentenced detainees as a proportion of the overall prison population (Indicator 16.3.2), is relevant for measuring progress towards this target.
Overall, the article highlights the importance of addressing FGM through gender equality, access to healthcare, and the rule of law, aligning with multiple SDGs and their respective targets and indicators.
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Source: aljazeera.com
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