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Women's (Amendment) Act, 2015 (Act No. /2015).

Main Region

First Region

Gambia
Equality of opportunity and treatment
2015-12-27
National
Law, Act

Second Region

In December 2015, Women’s (Amendment) Bill 2015 was by the National Assembly to prohibit female circumcision. The amendment addresses one of the key deficiencies of the Women’s Act 2010 which was the absence of a provision on eliminating harmful traditional practices. The Amendment Act added sections 32A and 32B in the Women’s Act.

The Act uses the term ‘circumcision’ instead of ‘mutilation’. However, in defining circumcision, it lists female genital mutilation. Section 32A makes it an offence for any person to engage in female circumcision and whoever contravenes it is liable on conviction to an imprisonment for a term of three years or a fine of fifty thousand dalasis (approximately $1250) or both. The Act also stipulates a life sentence in prison when the circumcision results in death.

The Act also addresses those who commission the procedure in section 32B(1). It states that ‘a person who requests, incites or promotes female circumcision by providing tools or by any other means commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of three years or a fine of fifty thousand Dalasis or both.’ In addition, a fine of ten thousand dalasis (approximately $250) as provided in section 32B(2) of the Act is levied against anyone knowing about the practice and failing to report.

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