In brief
A one-month-old baby girl has succumbed to complications believed to be linked to female genital mutilation (FGM) in The Gambia, reigniting fierce debate surrounding this harmful cultural practice. The infant suffered severe bleeding and was rushed to a hospital in the capital, Banjul, but was pronounced dead upon arrival. While authorities are conducting an autopsy to confirm the exact cause of death, many believe it is directly tied to the illegal procedure.
In response to this tragedy, the non-governmental organization Women In Leadership and Liberation (WILL) emphasized that no cultural tradition should justify such acts, labeling the practice as outright violence. Following the incident, two women were apprehended in connection with the baby's death, prompting further calls for legislative action against harmful practices affecting children. Abdoulie Ceesay, an MP from the Kombo North District, underscored the urgent need for more robust protections for the rights of children, urging for a national commitment to safeguarding their health and dignity.FGM, which involves the partial or complete removal of female external genitalia, is often justified through claims of social acceptance and misconceptions about hygiene and virginity. The Gambia ranks as one of the countries with the highest FGM prevalence, with about 73% of women and girls aged 15 to 49 having undergone the procedure, often at a very young age. Reports indicate a disturbing trend where FGM is increasingly being performed on infants, as parents believe that it promotes faster healing and can be concealed more effectively under the law. Although illegal since 2015, the enforcement of penalties remains weak, with only a handful of prosecutions taking place since the law's inception. While a significant movement is advocating for the repeal of the ban on FGM, legislative efforts to roll back protections were rejected in parliament last year—which has further complicated the fight against this deeply rooted practice.As global attention turns toward these issues, survivors and advocates underscore the pressing need for cultural change and stronger legislative frameworks to protect vulnerable populations from violence disguised as tradition.
