On August 12, 2025, a tragic incident in Gambia reignited fierce national debate over the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM), a procedure banned in the country for a decade but still practiced in secrecy. Three women were charged under the Women’s (Amendment) Act, 2015, for their roles in the death of a one-month-old girl who underwent the procedure—an event that has sent shockwaves through Gambian society and drawn condemnation from both local and international communities.
According to police statements published on Wednesday, one of the women now faces life imprisonment and has been remanded in custody. The other two, charged as accomplices, were granted bail. The charges stem from the infant’s death after she was subjected to FGM. As police described in a statement released Sunday, "Preliminary findings indicate the child was allegedly subjected to circumcision and later developed severe bleeding. She was rushed to Bundung Maternal and Child Health Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival."
The case is the first of its kind since the Gambian parliament, in 2024, upheld the 2015 ban on FGM after an intense national debate. Despite the legal prohibition, the practice remains deeply embedded in Gambian society, with the United Nations estimating that roughly 75% of women in the country have undergone some form of FGM. Globally, the numbers are staggering: more than 200 million women and girls are survivors of FGM, with about 30 million cut in the past eight years alone, according to UNICEF.
The World Health Organization has unequivocally labeled FGM a form of torture, citing its severe health risks and lifelong consequences. The procedure is typically performed by older women or traditional community practitioners using rudimentary tools like razor blades. Immediate dangers include severe bleeding and death, as seen in this latest tragedy, while long-term complications can include chronic pain, infections, and difficulties during childbirth.
The incident has sparked outrage and sorrow across Gambia. Emmanuel Daniel Joof, chair of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), did not mince words. At a public event following the charges, he declared, "That incident is more than just a case—it is a national wake-up call. It is a reminder that FGM is not simply a 'cultural practice'—it is a criminal offence, a human rights violation, and in some cases, like this one, it is deadly." Joof’s remarks were echoed in a statement from the NHRC, which insisted, "No cultural or traditional justification should override the obligation to protect children from harm."
Civil society groups have also weighed in forcefully. The Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice, based in Banjul, issued a statement expressing "sorrow and outrage" over the infant’s death. The group emphasized, "Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done, to send a strong message that the rights and lives of girls in The Gambia are not negotiable." These sentiments reflect a growing movement within Gambia and beyond to prioritize the rights and safety of girls over adherence to harmful traditions.
However, the country remains deeply divided. Supporters of FGM argue that the practice is rooted in Gambian culture and Islamic teachings. Religious conservatives, who led the campaign to reverse the ban last year, have described the procedure as "one of the virtues of Islam." This perspective is not without its political muscle. The Concerned Citizens collective, for instance, criticized the government’s recent actions, stating, "The people of The Gambia have consistently expressed, through various lawful means, their opposition to the ban and have instructed their elected Members of Parliament to repeal the said prohibition." Their statement called on authorities to stop targeting female circumcisers, framing the issue as one of cultural autonomy and religious freedom rather than human rights.
Yet, the legal reality in Gambia remains clear. The Women’s (Amendment) Act, 2015, criminalizes all forms of FGM, and the latest charges represent a renewed commitment by law enforcement to uphold the ban. According to police reports cited by Reuters and the Associated Press, the act of performing FGM is punishable by severe penalties, including life imprisonment. The current case demonstrates that authorities are prepared to pursue these penalties in the wake of fatal outcomes.
The broader context is sobering. FGM is not unique to Gambia; it is practiced in many countries across sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. The United Nations and World Health Organization have long campaigned for its eradication, emphasizing that the practice has no health benefits and only causes harm. In the past eight years alone, 30 million women globally have been cut, most of them in Africa but also in Asia and the Middle East, according to UNICEF. Despite international pressure and local laws, progress has been slow, often hindered by deeply ingrained social norms and religious interpretations.
The Gambian parliament’s decision in 2024 to uphold the FGM ban was seen by many as a victory for women’s rights, but the persistence of the practice reveals the limits of legal reform in the face of cultural resistance. The current case, with its tragic outcome, has brought the issue back to the forefront of national consciousness. As Joof put it, "Our task now is clear: enforce it (the law) fully and fairly, without fear or favor." This call for action resonates not just within government circles but also among activists, healthcare workers, and ordinary citizens who want to see an end to the suffering caused by FGM.
Authorities and civil society alike are now urging greater vigilance and community education to prevent further tragedies. The hope is that the high-profile prosecution will serve as a deterrent, sending a strong message that the rights and lives of girls are not up for negotiation. But with the practice still occurring in secrecy—and with significant segments of the population still advocating for its continuation—the path forward remains fraught with challenges.
For now, Gambia stands at a crossroads. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how the country confronts harmful traditional practices in the future. As the nation mourns the loss of a young life, the debate over FGM continues, underscoring the urgent need for both legal enforcement and cultural change.
