On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2024, the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS) reaffirms its commitment to promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women. This year’s theme, “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,” underscores the vital role that women play in building a just and equitable society. ACDHRS recognizes the importance of International Women’s Day as an opportunity to shed light on the urgent need to address such retrogressive actions that compromise the progress made in promoting women’s rights. The organization calls on the government of The Gambia to reconsider the repeal of the Women’s Amendment Act and to prioritize the protection and advancement of women’s rights in the country.
Investing in women is not just a moral imperative but a strategic necessity. When women are empowered, communities thrive, economies prosper, and societies flourish. By investing in women’s education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and leadership, we create a ripple effect that benefits everyone. However, despite progress made in advancing women’s rights, challenges persist, particularly in the fight against harmful practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). The recent repeal of the Women’s Amendment Act in The Gambia, which sought to legalize FGM, represents a significant setback in our collective efforts to eradicate this barbaric practice.
FGM violates the fundamental rights and dignity of women and girls, perpetuating gender inequality and hindering their full participation in society. Its legalization not only condones violence against women but also undermines decades of advocacy and legislative efforts aimed at eliminating this harmful practice.
The repeal of the Women’s Amendment Act sends a dangerous message that retrogression is permissible, endangering the progress achieved in protecting women’s rights and advancing gender equality. It is imperative that governments uphold their commitments to international human rights standards and take decisive action to outlaw FGM in all its forms.
As organizations committed to promoting human rights and gender equality, we call upon governments, civil society, and the international community to:
- Reaffirm their commitment to ending FGM and all forms of violence against women and girls.
- Strengthen legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms to protect women’s rights and hold perpetrators of FGM accountable.
- Invest in comprehensive programs that empower women and girls, including access to education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and leadership roles.
- Foster partnerships and collaboration to accelerate progress towards gender equality and sustainable development.
On this International Women’s Day, let us recommit ourselves to the principles of equality, justice, and human rights for all. Together, we can build a world where every woman and girl can live free from discrimination, violence, oppression, and realize their full potential.
