Activists and lawmakers in The Gambia are demanding urgent action following the tragic death of a baby allegedly subjected to female genital mutilation. This incident highlights ongoing cultural challenges and the need for stricter enforcement of laws against FGM.
Tragedy Strikes as Baby Dies from Female Genital Mutilation in The Gambia
Tragedy Strikes as Baby Dies from Female Genital Mutilation in The Gambia
The death of a one-month-old girl in The Gambia due to female genital mutilation has ignited a firestorm of outrage and calls for stronger protections against this harmful practice.
The death of an infant girl from female genital mutilation (FGM) has rocked The Gambia, igniting public outcry and amplifying calls for better protection of children against harmful cultural practices. The one-month-old child was taken to a hospital in Banjul after suffering severe bleeding and was declared dead upon arrival. Law enforcement agencies are currently conducting an autopsy to ascertain the precise cause of death, but many in the community suspect FGM is implicated.
Leading non-governmental organizations, such as Women In Leadership and Liberation (WILL), have emphatically condemned the act, denouncing it as pure violence devoid of justification by culture or tradition. "This horrific event must not be overlooked," said Abdoulie Ceesay, the local Member of Parliament for Kombo North District, asserting that it should serve as a catalyst for renewed commitment to safeguarding children's rights to life and dignity.
FGM involves the deliberate cutting or removal of female external genitalia, often driven by societal pressures, cultural beliefs, and misconceptions. In The Gambia, approximately 73% of women and girls aged 15 to 49 have undergone the procedure, frequently before the age of six. Survivors and activists like WILL founder Fatou Baldeh point out a shocking increase in FGM events on infants, driven by an erroneous belief that younger girls recover faster and evade detection under the country’s FGM law.
Although FGM has been illegal in The Gambia since 2015, with penalties ranging from fines to life imprisonment for causing death, enforcement remains weak, with minimal prosecution rates. Advocates continue to fight against a growing movement seeking the decriminalization of FGM, which recently failed to pass new legislation in parliament.
FGM is outlawed in over 70 countries but remains prevalent in various regions, especially in predominantly Muslim nations across Africa. The tragic incident of the baby girl underscores not only the pressing need for heightened legal enforcement but also the societal change necessary to protect the rights and safety of women and girls.
