Outrage as baby dies after genital mutilation in The Gambia
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Tragic death of an infant sparks urgent calls to end female genital mutilation in The Gambia.
Outrage Over Baby Death Linked to Female Genital Mutilation in The Gambia
The tragic death of a one-month-old baby girl in The Gambia has ignited widespread condemnation. The infant was rushed to a hospital in the capital, Banjul, suffering from severe bleeding and was pronounced dead on arrival. Many have connected the death to female genital mutilation (FGM), despite an autopsy still ongoing.
Authorities Arrest Two Women in Connection with the Death
Police have arrested two women suspected of involvement in the baby’s death. The case has renewed calls to end harmful cultural practices, with leading NGOs condemning FGM as violence, not tradition. Women In Leadership and Liberation (WILL) stated, “Culture is no excuse, tradition is no shield, this is violence, pure and simple.”
Calls for Protection and Accountability
Abdoulie Ceesay, MP for Kombo North District where the incident occurred, urged the nation to renew its commitment to protecting children’s rights. He emphasized that this tragic loss must serve as a turning point in safeguarding every child’s health, dignity, and life.
Understanding Female Genital Mutilation
FGM involves the partial or total removal of female external genitalia and is often justified by social acceptance, religious beliefs, and misconceptions about hygiene and sexuality. It is prevalent in The Gambia, with 73% of women aged 15 to 49 having undergone the procedure, often before age six.
Rise in FGM Among Babies and Challenges in Enforcement
Fatou Baldeh, founder of WILL, reported an increase in FGM being performed on babies, partly because parents believe younger girls heal faster and it is easier to hide the practice from authorities. Though outlawed since 2015 with heavy penalties, enforcement remains weak; only two prosecutions and one conviction have been recorded.
Resistance to Repealing the FGM Ban
Despite lobbying efforts to decriminalize FGM, parliament rejected legislation to repeal the ban last year. Globally, over 70 countries outlaw FGM, yet it persists, especially in Muslim-majority African nations like The Gambia.
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