Dr Isatou Touray, the executive director of The Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices (GAMCOTRAP), has disclosed that effective national legislation is a vital component to accelerating the elimination of Female Genital Mutilation.

Dr Touray was speaking at the opening of a day's knowledge sharing session for parliamentarians, members of the judiciary, law enforcement agencies and regional chiefs last Tuesday at the Kairaba Beach Hotel. According to her, the enactment and implementation of legislation against FGM demonstrates a formal, explicit and lasting commitment by public authorities to turning the tide of social norms that perpetuate the practices detrimental to the physical, psychological and rights of the integrity of women and girls.

She added that the law can also provide the legal tools to legitimise and facilitate the work of anti-FGM activists and women rights groups, and to protect women and girls willing to challenge the social convention by refusing to undergo FGM. According to her, The Gambia ratified almost all the international and regional conventions regarding women and children's rights; thus showing the political will and commitment to advance the strategic interest and human rights of women and children.

DR Touray further emphasised that The Gambia has given equality to women and that there are various policy documents that have relevant provisions and commitment to promote women's rights. Thus, she said, the environment is positive for reform of laws or enactment of new laws to protect women and girl child from FGM. Dr Touray further revealed that currently the Children's Act is in place but is not known by many actors in The Gambia.