The recent death of a one-month-old baby girl in The Gambia, linked to female genital mutilation (FGM), has incited public outrage and calls for stronger measures to protect children from such practices. The infant suffered severe bleeding after undergoing FGM and sadly was pronounced dead upon arrival at a Banjul hospital. Although authorities are still conducting an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death, the connection to FGM has prompted condemnation from various organizations and communities.
Outrage Erupts After Infant Dies from FGM in The Gambia
Outrage Erupts After Infant Dies from FGM in The Gambia
A tragic case highlights the ongoing battle against harmful cultural practices in West Africa.
Two women have been arrested in connection with the incident, as dissatisfaction grows over the prevalence of FGM in The Gambia, a nation where 73% of women and girls aged 15 to 49 have reportedly undergone the procedure. Abdoulie Ceesay, the Member of Parliament for the Kombo North District, expressed the collective grief and outrage, urging the nation to reaffirm its commitment to child safety and dignity.
FGM, seen as a deeply-rooted cultural practice, is typically performed for reasons ranging from social acceptance to beliefs about preserving virginity. Despite a legal ban on FGM since 2015, which carries strict penalties for offenders, enforcement remains weak, evidenced by only a handful of prosecutions. Advocates, including Fatou Baldeh of the Women In Leadership and Liberation (WILL), noted an alarming trend where parents are opting to have their daughters undergo this procedure at younger ages to avoid detection.
Although FGM is prohibited in over 70 countries, the practice has been particularly resistant in regions such as The Gambia, where it is woven into social fabrics. As the case of the infant serves as a painful reminder of the dangers posed by such cultural practices, activists continue to call for education and reform to prevent future tragedies.
FGM remains a contentious issue, with a strong lobby advocating for its decriminalization, even as legislative efforts to repeal the ban have failed. The Gambia joins a collective struggle across Africa to eradicate this harmful tradition and protect its youth.
In response to the outrage, activists and organizations are urging a united front against FGM, emphasizing the importance of education and assertive action by law enforcement to uphold the rights of children against harmful practices.
FGM, seen as a deeply-rooted cultural practice, is typically performed for reasons ranging from social acceptance to beliefs about preserving virginity. Despite a legal ban on FGM since 2015, which carries strict penalties for offenders, enforcement remains weak, evidenced by only a handful of prosecutions. Advocates, including Fatou Baldeh of the Women In Leadership and Liberation (WILL), noted an alarming trend where parents are opting to have their daughters undergo this procedure at younger ages to avoid detection.
Although FGM is prohibited in over 70 countries, the practice has been particularly resistant in regions such as The Gambia, where it is woven into social fabrics. As the case of the infant serves as a painful reminder of the dangers posed by such cultural practices, activists continue to call for education and reform to prevent future tragedies.
FGM remains a contentious issue, with a strong lobby advocating for its decriminalization, even as legislative efforts to repeal the ban have failed. The Gambia joins a collective struggle across Africa to eradicate this harmful tradition and protect its youth.
In response to the outrage, activists and organizations are urging a united front against FGM, emphasizing the importance of education and assertive action by law enforcement to uphold the rights of children against harmful practices.
