If the vote on Monday is successful, Gambia will become the first country to revoke its prohibition of female genital cutting, also known as female genital mutilation (FGM). This procedure involves the removal of part or all of the external genitalia and has been increasing in prevalence globally, despite efforts to make it illegal.

Recently, the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, released a report stating that approximately 30 million women around the world have been subjected to this practice in the last eight years. It is predominantly practiced in Africa, parts of Asia, and the Middle East, with most procedures taking place during infancy to adolescence. The main intention of this procedure is to restrict women’s sexuality.

The World Health Organization states that the practice has no advantages and can result in severe bleeding and mortality. It may also have prolonged consequences like urinary tract infections, issues with menstruation, discomfort, reduced sexual gratification, and difficulties during childbirth. Additionally, it can also contribute to feelings of depression, low self-worth, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The founder of Safe Hands for Girls, a grassroots organization in Gambia dedicated to ending the practice, expressed concern to The Associated Press about the potential consequences of repealing the 2015 ban on FGM. Jaha Dukureh, who has personally experienced the procedure and tragically witnessed her sister’s death from it, fears that this action could lead to regression in women’s rights.

She stated that if the repeal is successful, they could also target laws related to child marriages and domestic violence. This is not a matter of religion, but rather a pattern of oppressing women and controlling their bodies.

As stated by U.N. statistics, there has been a significant decrease in the occurrence of FGM in Gambia since the prohibition. In 2015, Gambia’s previous leader, Yahya Jammeh, outlawed the practice without giving any reason publicly. This move took activists by surprise and included hefty penalties and imprisonment for those who still practiced FGM.

The recent repeal legislation is supported by conservative followers of religion, who hold significant influence in the small, predominantly Muslim country. The legislation’s language states, “It aims to maintain religious integrity and protect customary practices and beliefs.”

Representative Almameh Gibba, who introduced the repeal legislation, stated that the prohibition infringes on the rights of citizens to freely exercise their cultural and religious beliefs.

In August of last year, when individuals were found guilty of performing FGM on eight young girls, the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council defended the practice by stating that it was a fundamental aspect of Islam.

Dukureh expressed her belief that the bill will be defeated, however, she stated that activists and grassroots organizations working to end FGM are not receiving adequate support.

On Monday, activists of both genders staged individual protests outside of Gambia’s parliament opposing the repeal bill. The police, wearing riot gear, forcefully controlled the crowd.

This report includes data from Reuters and The Associated Press.