In a global first, Gambia could reverse its ban on female genital cutting

ERREKUNDA, Gambia (AP) — Lawmakers in Gambia will vote Monday on legislation that seeks to repeal a 2015 ban on female genital cutting, which would make the West African nation the first country anywhere to make that reversal.

The procedure, which also has been called female genital mutilation, includes the partial or full removal of external genitalia. It is incorrectly believed to control a woman’s sexuality and can cause serious bleeding and death. It remains a widespread practice in parts of Africa.

Jaha Dukureh, the founder of Safe Hands for Girls, a local group that aims to end the practice, told The Associated Press she worried that other laws safeguarding women’s rights could be repealed next. Dukureh underwent the procedure and watched her sister bleed to death.

“If they succeed with this repeal, we know that they might come after the child marriage law and even the domestic violence law. This is not about religion but the cycle of controlling women and their bodies,” she said.