When she was 2, Absa Samba underwent genital cutting – also known as female genital mutilation. “I do not have any memories of what happened to me that day, but I do remember it not being talked about,” she says. Now, Samba is 29 and she speaks openly – and critically – about the practice.
She says it undermines the dignity and well-being of women and is a tool used to “control our bodies and our well-being.” That echoes the World Health Organization’s position – that female genital mutilation is a violation of a woman’s human rights and can cause physical harm – even death from bleeding – as well as psychological damage. The practice involves damaging part of the clitoris and labia or sewing the vaginal opening shut.
It is often seen as a way to preserve a woman’s virginity by reducing sexual pleasure or making it difficult to have intercourse. This past year has been a stressful one for Samba and other Gambian activists who campaign against FGM. An intense debate around the issue has roiled the West African nation.
And this week it all came to a head. A tense vote In 2015, The Gambia banned female genital mutilation (FGM). But since last summer, conservative clerics have led a concerted effort to overturn the ban.
At a time when dozens of countries have prohibited the practice and other countries are considering a ban, The Gambia was poised to become the first country to reverse its ban and re-legalize the practice. On Monday, Samba joined a crowd .
