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Bureau Régional pour l’Afrique de l’Ouest

The Gambia : UN commends President Jammeh for announcing ban of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

8 décembre 2015
The Gambia : UN commends President Jammeh for announcing ban of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)©
United Nations PRESS RELEASE Banjul, 2nd December 2015, The United Nations System in The Gambia commends the President of the Republic of The Gambia for announcing the ban of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in The Gambia on 23 November 2015, on the eve of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

This announcement is an important symbolic step towards the elimination of the harmful practice of FGM which affects 76% of the female population. FGM reflects deep-rooted inequality between the sexes, and constitutes an extreme form of violence and discrimination against women and girls.

In December 2014, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/69/150 “Intensifying global efforts for the elimination of female genital mutilations”, calling upon member States to develop, support and implement comprehensive and integrated strategies for the prevention of FGM. 

The UN System in The Gambia encourages the Government of the Republic of The Gambia to ensure the effective elimination of FGM through the adoption of an holistic approach encompassing appropriate legislation, policies and measures and focusing on the elimination of gender-based discrimination, which underpins harmful practices and violence against women.

The UN System in The Gambia stands ready to assist the Government through support to the implementation of the recommendations of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women to The Gambia, issued in July 2015, which among others they recommend to :

(a) Expedite the adoption of the Anti-FGM legislation.
(b) Raise awareness of health practitioners regarding female genital mutilation and the remedies and assistance available to victims, including psychological counselling ;
(c) Provide alternative means of livelihood for practitioners of female genital mutilation.”

The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945. It is currently made up of 193 Member States. The mission and work of the United Nations are guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter.