THE REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA’S COMBINED REPORT ON THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON HUMAN & PEOPLES’ RIGHTS & INITIAL REPORT ON THE PROTOCOL TO THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN AFRICA The Gambia has ratified the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People`s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (the Maputo Protocol) and the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. The provisions of these instruments have been domesticated through the Women Act, 2010, including the prohibition of child marriage. The Constitution of The Gambia, also makes provision for the promotion of women`s rights. Section 28 provides that Women shall be accorded full and equal dignity. In addition, women have the right to equal treatment, including equal opportunities in political, economic and social activities. The Domestic Violence Act 2013 and Sexual Offences Act, 2013 are also fundamental in addressing violence against women and girls. a. Female genital mutilation (FGM) A National Plan of Action to Accelerate the Abandonment of FGM/C 2012 - 2017 has been formulated and it is in the process of being revised. The purpose of the National Plan of Action is to serve as a tool in addressing gender inequality, reproductive rights and protecting the rights of women and the girl child, so as to promote an enabling socio-cultural environment that is conducive to male participation and the Elimination of harmful practices UNFPA and UNICEF have been supportive in both financing public awareness programmes and sensitization of communities. The Community Empowerment Programme is based on certain experiences in Senegal and elsewhere, where basic education programme complemented by ‘organized diffusion’ in the communities, eventually led to the abandonment of FGM/C in various communities. So far in 900 communities in four regions, 128 circumcisers have abandoned FGM between 2007 and 2013. Furthermore, the Government has created an enabling environment, for Civil Society Organizations working with and objective of protection of women`s rights and ending Female Genital Mutilation in The Gambia. Civil Society Organizations such as The Foundation for Research on Women’s Health, Productivity and the Environment (BAFROW), The Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children (GAMCOTRAP) and the Association for the Promotion of Women and Girls Advancement (APGWA) champion the fight against FGM/C with appreciable results. In 2015, The Gambia amended the Women’s Act of 2010 (as amended) to prohibit the practice of FGM in compliance with the Maputo Protocol and other international obligation to prohibit the practice of Female 24