The tragic death of a one-month-old baby girl in The Gambia has incited significant public outrage after she succumbed to severe bleeding linked to female genital mutilation (FGM) practices. Rushed to a hospital in Banjul, the infant was pronounced dead on arrival, and while an official autopsy is still underway to confirm the cause, many in the community are blaming FGM, a cultural practice that has been banned in the nation.
Leading advocates, including the NGO Women In Leadership and Liberation (WILL), have condemned this incident, asserting that cultural traditions should not shield acts of violence. They stated, "Culture is no excuse, tradition is no shield, this is violence, pure and simple." Authorities have reported the arrest of two women accused of participating in the case, as local MP Abdoulie Ceesay called for better protection of children against harmful practices.
Globally, FGM is identified as the intentional alteration or removal of female genitalia, often justified by social, religious, or misguided beliefs regarding hygiene and virginity. Alarmingly, The Gambia has one of the highest rates of FGM, with 73% of women and girls aged 15 to 49 having undergone the procedure, frequently before reaching six years of age.
WILL's founder Fatou Baldeh highlighted an unsettling trend: an increase in FGM procedures performed on very young girls. Parents believe that performing the procedure on their infants allows for quicker recovery and evasion of law enforcement scrutiny. Although the practice has been illegal since 2015—with significant penalties including life sentences for resulting fatalities—only two prosecutions have taken place since then, showcasing gaps in enforcement.
Despite global condemnation and bans in over 70 countries, FGM remains prevalent, especially in several Muslim-majority nations, including The Gambia. Activists continue to work toward greater awareness and stringent enforcement against this harmful tradition, hoping to prevent further tragedies.
Leading advocates, including the NGO Women In Leadership and Liberation (WILL), have condemned this incident, asserting that cultural traditions should not shield acts of violence. They stated, "Culture is no excuse, tradition is no shield, this is violence, pure and simple." Authorities have reported the arrest of two women accused of participating in the case, as local MP Abdoulie Ceesay called for better protection of children against harmful practices.
Globally, FGM is identified as the intentional alteration or removal of female genitalia, often justified by social, religious, or misguided beliefs regarding hygiene and virginity. Alarmingly, The Gambia has one of the highest rates of FGM, with 73% of women and girls aged 15 to 49 having undergone the procedure, frequently before reaching six years of age.
WILL's founder Fatou Baldeh highlighted an unsettling trend: an increase in FGM procedures performed on very young girls. Parents believe that performing the procedure on their infants allows for quicker recovery and evasion of law enforcement scrutiny. Although the practice has been illegal since 2015—with significant penalties including life sentences for resulting fatalities—only two prosecutions have taken place since then, showcasing gaps in enforcement.
Despite global condemnation and bans in over 70 countries, FGM remains prevalent, especially in several Muslim-majority nations, including The Gambia. Activists continue to work toward greater awareness and stringent enforcement against this harmful tradition, hoping to prevent further tragedies.
