Gambia Baby's Death Sparks Urgent Call to End Female Genital Mutilation

Recent tragic events in The Gambia have intensified global concerns about the deeply entrenched practice of female genital mutilation (FGM). The death of a one-month-old infant, who was pronounced dead upon arrival at a hospital in Banjul after allegedly undergoing circumcision, has sparked widespread outrage. The baby suffered severe bleeding, highlighting the deadly risks associated with FGM, a procedure that remains widely practiced despite being illegal.

The Gambia has some of the highest rates of FGM globally, with approximately 73% of women and girls aged 15 to 49 having undergone the procedure, as reported by UNICEF in 2024. This cultural and religious practice is often perceived as a tradition, but rights advocates emphasize it as a form of gender-based violence that can have fatal consequences.

The incident in Wellingara, where two women are in custody pending investigation, underscores the ongoing fight against FGM. Rights organizations, including Equality Now, have condemned the practice, with lawyer Santana Simiyu stating, "FGM is not a cultural tradition to be defended—it is a harmful form of gender-based violence capable of causing death."

While the Gambian government outlawed FGM in 2015 under the leadership of former dictator Yahya Jammeh, who declared it outdated and not Islamic, enforcement remains inconsistent. The law, which carries a penalty of up to three years in prison, has seen limited application. In 2024, Parliament reaffirmed its stance against FGM, but the issue is currently before the country's Supreme Court, with a pending petition challenging the law’s constitutionality.

Health experts highlight that FGM involves the partial or total removal of female genitalia or other injuries, leading to severe health complications such as infections, infertility, and childbirth difficulties. Responding to the ongoing crisis, advocates warn that if the court overturns the ban, it would severely endanger the health and rights of women and girls in The Gambia.

Worldwide, studies estimate that approximately 44,320 girls and young women die annually due to FGM-related complications. Despite legal measures, cultural resistance and lack of enforcement continue to perpetuate this harmful practice.

This devastating case has brought renewed attention to the urgent need for legal enforcement, community education, and cultural change to eliminate FGM and protect women's health and rights in The Gambia and beyond.