In brief
A heartbreaking incident in The Gambia involving the death of a one-month-old baby girl has triggered widespread condemnation and renewed calls to end female genital mutilation (FGM) in the country. The girl was brought to a Banjul hospital suffering from severe bleeding but was pronounced dead upon arrival. Police have arrested two women in connection with the case, fueling outrage among activists and lawmakers alike.
The infant's death has drawn attention to the ongoing struggle against FGM, a practice that continues despite being outlawed in The Gambia since 2015. A spokesperson for Women In Leadership and Liberation (WILL) declared, "Culture is no excuse, tradition is no shield, this is violence, pure and simple." Local lawmaker Abdoulie Ceesay emphasized a collective responsibility to protect children from such harmful traditions that threaten their lives and well-being.FGM remains prevalent in The Gambia, with a staggering 73% of women and girls aged 15 to 49 having undergone some form of the procedure. Survivors and advocates like WILL founder Fatou Baldeh reveal a disturbing trend towards performing FGM on infants, as parents seek to avoid detection in an environment where the law is inadequately enforced.Despite the legal framework imposing fines and imprisonment for perpetrators, prosecutions remain scarce, indicating a gap between legislation and real-world enforcement. The fight against FGM continues as activists strive to eradicate this dangerous cultural practice from Gambia's social fabric.
