Nyimasta Saidykhal and her daughter Mariana Camara arrive for a meeting on female genital mutilation in Soma, Gambia, Thursday, July. 25, 2024. Gambia has been rocked in recent months by a heated debate on female genital cutting, a centuries-old practice rooted in concepts about sexual purity and control of women. (AP Photo/Annika Hammerschlag)
Fatoumatta, a survivor of female genital mutilation, poses for a photograph in the village of Sintet, Gambia, Friday, July. 26, 2024. Gambia has been rocked in recent months by a heated debate on female genital cutting, a centuries-old practice rooted in concepts about sexual purity and control of women. (AP Photo/Annika Hammerschlag)
Fatoumatta, a survivor of the female genital mutilation, left, poses for a photograph with her daughter in the village of Sintet, Gambia, Friday, July. 26, 2024. Fatoumata underwent FGM when she was 15 years old. After going through it, she realized that her pain and suffering were “not normal.” She is posing with one of her daughters - she has five and none have been cut. (AP Photo/Annika Hammerschlag)
Fatoumatta,, a survivor of female genital mutilation, poses for a photograph in the village of Sintet, Gambia, Friday, July. 26, 2024. Gambia has been rocked in recent months by a heated debate on female genital cutting, a centuries-old practice rooted in concepts about sexual purity and control of women. (AP Photo/Annika Hammerschlag)
Boubacar Demba, an imam, stands in front of a mosque in Sintet, Gambia, Friday, July. 26, 2024. Gambia has been rocked in recent months by a heated debate on female genital cutting, a centuries-old practice rooted in concepts about sexual purity and control of women. (AP Photo/Annika Hammerschlag)
Metta, a survivor of female genital mutilation, poses for a photograph in the village of Sintet, in Gambia, Friday, July. 26, 2024. When Metta, a mother of six from rural Gambia, heard that lawmakers were considering reversing the country's ban on female genital cutting, a centuries-old practice she underwent as a child and now fiercely opposes, she was determined that her voice be heard. She packed her bag and boarded a bus to the capital, Banjul, to join scores of women protesting in front of the parliament in this largely Muslim nation of less than 3 million people in West Africa. (AP Photo/Annika Hammerschlag)
A woman takes a rest under a tree at a village of Sintet, in Gambia, Friday, July. 26, 2024. Gambia has been rocked in recent months by a heated debate on female genital cutting, a centuries-old practice rooted in concepts about sexual purity and control of women. (AP Photo/Annika Hammerschlag)
Women attend a meeting on female genital mutilation in Soma, Gambia, Thursday, July. 25, 2024. Gambia has been rocked in recent months by a heated debate on female genital cutting, a centuries-old practice rooted in concepts about sexual purity and control of women. (AP Photo/Annika Hammerschlag)
A girl leads her goat for grazing at a village in Sintet, Gambia, Friday, July. 26, 2024. Gambia has been rocked in recent months by a heated debate on female genital cutting, a centuries-old practice rooted in concepts about sexual purity and control of women. (AP Photo/Annika Hammerschlag)
Women pose for a photograph after a meeting on female genital mutilation, in Soma, Gambia, Thursday, July. 25, 2024. Gambia has been rocked in recent months by a heated debate on female genital cutting, a centuries-old practice rooted in concepts about sexual purity and control of women. (AP Photo/Annika Hammerschlag)
Children play soccer at a village in Sintet, Gambia, Friday, July. 26, 2024. Gambia has been rocked in recent months by a heated debate on female genital cutting, a centuries-old practice rooted in concepts about sexual purity and control of women. (AP Photo/Annika Hammerschlag)
Metta, a survivor of female genital mutilation, poses for a photograph in the village of Sintet, in Gambia, Friday, July 26, 2024. When Metta, a mother of six from rural Gambia, heard that lawmakers were considering reversing the country's ban on female genital cutting, a centuries-old practice she underwent as a child and now fiercely opposes, she was determined that her voice be heard. She packed her bag and boarded a bus to the capital, Banjul, to join scores of women protesting in front of the parliament in this largely Muslim nation of less than 3 million people in West Africa. (AP Photo/Annika Hammerschlag)
Habibou Tamba, a 32-year old local activist on female genital mutilation, who said that he attended the rally outside the parliament, and a prominent community member — whom he did not identify — sent him a message afterward, accusing him of serving the interests of the West, weeds his farm in Sintet, Gambia, Friday, July. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Annika Hammerschlag)
Children walk on the streets in Sintet, Gambia, Friday, July. 26, 2024. Gambia has been rocked in recent months by a heated debate on female genital cutting, a centuries-old practice rooted in concepts about sexual purity and control of women. (AP Photo/Annika Hammerschlag)
A woman pounds baobab leaves outside her house in Sintet, Gambia, Friday, July. 26, 2024. Gambia has been rocked in recent months by a heated debate on female genital cutting, a centuries-old practice rooted in concepts about sexual purity and control of women. (AP Photo/Annika Hammerschlag)
A woman walks outside her house in Sintet, Gambia, Friday, July. 26, 2024. Gambia has been rocked in recent months by a heated debate on female genital cutting, a centuries-old practice rooted in concepts about sexual purity and control of women. (AP Photo/Annika Hammerschlag)
A bus drives past on the street of Sintet, Gambia, Friday, July. 26, 2024. Gambia has been rocked in recent months by a heated debate on female genital cutting, a centuries-old practice rooted in concepts about sexual purity and control of women. (AP Photo/Annika Hammerschlag)