Protesting female circumcisers and other women shout Allahu Akbar (God is Great) as they vowed to continue with the practice even if the government will jail them.

Maraima Njie, one of the group leaders said: “female circumcision is a Sunnah and it doesn’t affect us. They are fighting the deen of Islam.

“We are calling on the government to allow us to practice our belief and those who don’t want to practice it fine. No one has ever died of female circumcision and people are dying off at a faster rate now than ever. We will not stop criticising female circumcision. If they want they can jail us but we will not stop the practice.

“Women are dying at labour because of their bad practice. Why are they not fighting against family planning which is more dangerous than circumcision? My grandma was a circumciser and I have even taken some kids to get circumcised days ago, and we will not stop,” she added.

Aminatta Touray, also a leader added: “we are fighting for Islam. There is nothing wrong with female circumcision. We will practice female circumcision if the government wants to let them jail us.”

The National Assembly is debating a private member’s bill seeking to repeal the ban on female circumcision. Members of the assembly will vote today (18 March) following the debate. 

Gambians on either side of the FGM are at the assembly in Banjul to canvass their MPs on this issue. 

Reporting by Adama Makasuba