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In a significant development from The Gambia, MP Almaneh Gibba is making headlines with his campaign to legalize female genital mutilation (FGM), challenging the country's 2015 ban. This move comes after The Gambia imposed fines last year for FGM offenses, marking a rare enforcement of the law against a practice deeply ingrained in certain cultural traditions but widely condemned for its health implications.

Despite the fines being criticized for their leniency—three women were fined $220 for subjecting eight infants to FGM—anti-FGM activists saw this as a breakthrough in combating a culture of impunity. However, the enforcement has sparked a backlash, particularly from some religious leaders, fueling Gibba's campaign to reinstate what he terms "female circumcision."

The bill proposed by Gibba to lift the eight-year ban has alarmed numerous human rights and health advocacy groups. They argue that reinstating FGM, a practice associated with severe health risks, represents a regressive step in the global fight against gender-based violence and health issues.

In response, around 180 civil society organizations have rallied, signing an open letter last October to the Gambian government, urging the preservation of the anti-FGM legislation. This stance is supported by Gambia's former Vice President and prominent anti-FGM activist, Isatou Touray, who emphasizes the legal and moral obligation to maintain the ban. Touray's op-ed highlights the global attention on this issue, suggesting that the actions taken by The Gambia in this regard will be a significant marker in its history.

As the debate intensifies, the international community watches closely, with the outcome having potential implications for both human rights and health policies in The Gambia and beyond.