FGM in Gambia has been banned

[partialderivative]

www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-34921135

I know 'banning' will not eradicate FGM, just as it has not been eradicated in the UK, but it is a start isn't it in a region where it has been the cultural norm for generations.

(I thought the BBC article did a good job of describing the actual processes involved in FGM, truly horrific)

[SisterMoonshine]

The right direction.

[TheCountessofFitzdotterel]

It's a start!

[almondpudding]

One of the main activists involved is Jaha Dukureh.

The blog of the organisation she is involved with is here:

safehandsforgirls.org/blog.html

[TesticleOfObjectivity]

That's brilliant news, thanks for sharing. I wonder what sanctions will be in place for those who continue to perform fgm. I can imagine it will be hard to change the mindset of the entire country but this is an excellent achievement and a great step in the right direction. I hope it inspires other countries to do the same. I really, really admire all the people who have campaigned and continue to work so hard to stop this practice, they should be proud of all they've done so far.

[partialderivative]

Making something illegal doesn't necessarily make it stop happening or even a reduction in it happening

This is, of course, true. And the UK's prosecution record is a pitiful disgrace.

However, the Gambian government banning it does at least raise it as an 'issue', and not something that has to be accepted because 'that's the way it has always been done'

[SirChenjin]

It raises it as an 'issue' - but so long as it remains an 'issue' that is avoided for fear of upsetting cultural or religious communities as opposed to something which is actually addressed, then it continues to be something we ineffectively shake our heads and wring our hands at.

Obviously it's a step in the right direction - but my fear is that, just as happens in the UK, FA will actually change. Perhaps not though - perhaps Gambia will show us how to prosecute effectively.

[PassiveAgressiveQueen]

I see these laws, including the cinderella law here, more about telling people we as a nation no longer consider this behaviour appropriate, we don't just dislike it a little bit we dislike it ALOT.
Which then gives individuals the right to say NO i am not letting you do that to my child.

[TesticleOfObjectivity]

I just think that if nothing happens nothing will change. When something like this happens and it gets talked about and people start to hear more about it ands hear that a lot of people thing it's a very bad thing, then hopefully some of that feeling will start to seep in. It's really deeply embedded in some cultures so it won't be an overnight change will it. But surely any positive step is better than nothing. Maybe the girls who get cut now, maybe they'll hear all this and by the time they have their own children they won't want it happening to them, knowing that the law backs them up.

[VestalVirgin]

Maybe a girl will sue her parents for doing this to her. That is the way I can see change happening.

I often hear this about countries where girls are married off as children, despite this being actually illegal - it is still done, all the time, but once in a while, some brave girl gets herself a brave lawyer and fights for her rights.

[Varya]

Great!

[onahorsewithnoname]

Vestal is there any organisation Uk or otherwise who would support women to sue?

[VestalVirgin]

@onahorse:

I recently saw the movie "The Girl Hirut" about a girl who shot her rapist and then got into a legal battle to have this acknowledged as self-defense.

By googling the name of her lawyer I found this: www.comminit.com/?q=global/node/130825 mention of ELWA, an Ethiopian lawyer organisation.

[onahorsewithnoname]

Thanks, I think there's a total lack of awareness that such organisations exist. Much needed too.

[howtorebuild]

New Minister.

www.nickhurd.com/2015/12/07/department-for-international-development/

I will also have Ministerial responsibility for DFID’s work on a range of other important matters: Climate and Environment; Research and Evidence; Emerging Policy, Innovation and Capability; the Global Funds; and Human Development issues (including education, health, water and sanitation, nutrition, and sexual and reproductive rights). It is an exciting time to join the Department and I look forward to the challenge, not least in ensuring that DFID is delivering results and achieving real value in its work.