Banjul, 17th March 2025: On the sidelines of the 69th Session of Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) 2025, H.E. Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia delivered a statement at an event organised by The Gambia on the theme “Review Progress of Programme of Action of the Beijing @30 Declaration: The Case Study of The Experience on the Pushback Effect of Repealing The Women’s Amendment Act, 2015, The Journey to Ending Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.”
The First Lady expressed utmost pleasure and delight in delivering a statement at this significant event, marking the review of the Beijing Declaration thirty years later. She extended her sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare and its partners for organising the side event and for their efforts to address the pushback effects of repealing the Women’s Amendment Act, 2015.
“The Office of the First Lady is committed to the protection and promotion of the rights of women and girls, including persons with disabilities, to have safe and secure livelihoods,” she affirmed.
First Lady Barrow noted her office’s collaboration with development partners and civil society organisations to support efforts to uphold the law banning Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), enacted through the Women’s (Amendment) Act of 2015. This law criminalises FGM, imposing penalties of up to three years of imprisonment or fines, with harsher sentences if the practice results in death.
“Over the years, my office has implemented programmes towards achieving the critical areas of the Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action. Our programmes align with global commitments to end harmful practices, providing a framework for harmonised advocacy and creating pathways for effective enforcement of sexual and gender-based violence-related laws,” she stated.
She added that, at national level, relevant stakeholders continue to engage local communities through grassroots advocacy initiatives involving traditional and religious leaders, as well as civil society organizations, in raising awareness about the harmful effects of FGM. Public awareness campaigns have also been launched to educate communities about the physical and psychological consequences of FGM and the legal repercussions of engaging in the practice.
Furthermore, she noted that efforts have been made to provide medical and psychological support to survivors of FGM, helping them to recover and reintegrate into society. She went on to explain that the Government has taken crucial steps to enforce the ban, including prosecuting individuals who violate the law. “In 2023, three women were convicted for performing FGM on eight infant girls, marking a significant milestone in the fight against harmful practices,” she informed the forum.
Nonetheless, First Lady acknowledged that while this achievement marked a huge step towards realising the critical areas of Beijing+30, the celebration was short-lived. In September 2023, a Private Member Bill was introduced at the National Assembly to repeal the Women’s Amendment Act 2015 and lift the ban on FGM/C in The Gambia. The bill was ultimately voted down by the National Assembly, reaffirming The Gambia’s commitment to human rights, gender equality, and protecting the health and well-being of girls and women.
In conclusion, First Lady Barrow emphasized that while considerable progress has been made in maintaining the ban on FGM, challenges remain, including continued resistance from some communities. She underscored the need for stronger enforcement mechanisms and grassroots mobilization, reaffirming The Gambia’s commitment to consolidating gains and accelerating progress to eliminate FGM.
“As we review Beijing+30, it is time to accelerate progress. The Gambia calls on all stakeholders to remain vigilant and united against growing pushback and regression in gender equality. Gender equality should remain at the core of our obligations as citizens of the world. Together, we can build a future that leaves no one behind by upholding the dignity and rights of every woman and girl,” she concluded.
CSW69: First Lady Barrow Highlights Progress, Challenges in Gambia’s Fight against FGM
