Any parent caught mutilating her daughter could bag a D50, 000 fine or three years behind bars.

This is contained in the Women’s Amendment Act 2015 bill, which was on Monday overwhelming endorsed by the National Assembly.

The bill was tabled before national assembly members by the Vice President and Minister for Women Affairs, Dr. Aja Isatou Njie-Saidy.

The news was welcomed by campaigners, who hope it will finally eradicate FGM, which is seen as a form of child abuse and violence against women.

Gamcotrap, an organization that has been fighting for more than a decade to stop the practice, thanked the president for facilitating the legislation.

They wrote on their Facebook page: “FGM law creates a safer environment for girls. Well done for passing a law against FGM.”

According to them, the law promotes the human rights of girls and women.