Bally Bagayoko explained that his group, the majority "Together Let's Find Hope," abstained during the municipal council on September 24, 2026, on a wish put forward by the Socialist, Ecologist, and Citizen group against female genital mutilation and excision. He stated that his group supported the measures in the text against excision, notably the strengthening of state resources for school medicine, medical follow-up, and prevention. He also reminded that nearly 500 patients were followed each year in the municipality and praised the work of the Women's House, Delafontaine Hospital, and various associations. According to him, his group had requested the withdrawal of the wish's calls for the rapid adoption of a comprehensive law against gender-based and sexual violence (GBSV), as the bill had been significantly amended in committee at the National Assembly during the week of the council and still needed further amendments. Bagayoko stated that his group could therefore not support a text whose final content was uncertain and on which they had reservations. He added that the opposition elected officials still present had refused the proposed amendments, while most had left the session before its conclusion. His group had abstained, he specified, while allowing the wish to be adopted. He finally affirmed that his determination to fight against excision in the municipality and beyond remained unwavering. #Excision #DroitsDesFemmes #LutteContreLesMutilations (translated)
