The recent death of a one-month-old baby girl in The Gambia, attributed to female genital mutilation (FGM), has raised significant concerns regarding the cultural practices surrounding the procedure, which is illegal in the country.
Outrage Erupts Over Tragic Death of Baby Linked to Female Genital Mutilation in The Gambia
Outrage Erupts Over Tragic Death of Baby Linked to Female Genital Mutilation in The Gambia
Death of one-month-old girl has ignited debate on FGM practices and legislation in The Gambia.
The infant was transported to a hospital in Banjul after suffering severe bleeding believed to be connected to FGM, but she was pronounced dead upon arrival. While an official autopsy is pending to confirm the cause of death, it has sparked national outrage over the practice, which has been outlawed in The Gambia since 2015. Two women alleged to be involved in the mutilation have since been arrested, as law enforcement and local politicians emphasize the importance of safeguarding children's rights against harmful traditions.
Abdoulie Ceesay, the local Member of Parliament, has urged a renewed commitment towards protecting children, expressing sorrow over the tragic loss. Ceesay insists that the incident should not be forgotten but should instead serve as a catalyst for greater action against FGM, which persists despite the law.
FGM involves the cutting or removal of female external genitalia, often justified through cultural, religious, or social norms. Unfortunately, The Gambia has among the highest rates of FGM in the world, with 73% of women aged 15 to 49 having undergone the procedure, frequently during early childhood.
Fatou Baldeh, founder of the NGO Women In Leadership and Liberation (WILL), noted an alarming trend of FGM being performed on infants, as parents believe younger girls heal faster and that the procedure can be more easily concealed. This has raised urgent calls for greater enforcement of existing anti-FGM laws, particularly since very few prosecutions have been initiated since the law's implementation.
Although FGM is outlawed in over 70 nations worldwide, including in many predominantly Muslim countries in Africa, the practice continues to face resistance from advocacy groups seeking its decriminalization. Last year, efforts to repeal the ban in The Gambia were rejected by parliament.
The outcry following this tragic death not only highlights the ongoing plight against FGM but also serves as a reminder of the need to further educate communities and enforce legislation to protect vulnerable individuals, particularly children.
