Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, the Gambia) –In 2015, the Gambia joined other countries around the globe to ban Female Circumcision (FC) and Female Genital Mutilation/ Cutting (FGM/C).
In August 2023, three women from the Central River Region (CRR) became the first people to be convicted under the law since its enactment in 2015 after they were found guilty of the practice. Some Islamic Scholars in the country called for the repeal of the law.
This has stirred debate in the country between feminists, human rights activists and some religious leaders about the existence of the law.
In March 2024, Hon. Almamy Gibba, a Lawmaker of FoniKansala tabled a bill dubbed “Women’s (Amendment) Bill, 2023” that seeks to repeal the law by decriminalising it. This led to the formation of a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) Coalition Against FGM. At a Press Conference, the group publicly demanded that lawmakers uphold the law and reject the Bill that seeks to repeal it.
The Bill also attracted International condemnation, especially from the United Nations Agencies around the globe.
In July 2024, the National Assembly rejected the Bill as none of its clauses were passed during the Committee of the Whole Assembly stage.
Hon. Almamy Gibba, then filed a lawsuit at the Supreme Court of the Gambia to challenge the decision of the National Assembly. The case is at an advanced stage which is expected to be heard in October later this year.
On the 10th of August 2025, the Gambia Police Force issued a press release that two women from Wellingara had been arrested for allegedly practising FGM on a one-month-old child which led to her death.
“Police in Wellingara are investigating the death of a one-month-old baby girl, suspected to be linked to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM),” the Police say.
The Police further reveal that their 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 Police revealed.
The two women allegedly involved in the case are in police custody as investigations continue. According to the Police, the body of the girl has been moved to the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) mortuary for further examination.
Reaction From The Gambia’s Civil Society Organisations
Since the news broke out by the Gambia Police Force, scores of people including activists have reacted with some describing it as “tragic” while calling for justice.
Aside from activists, Civil Society Organisations in the country have also reacted and condemned the alleged incident.
Among the CSOs that condemned the alleged act, is the Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice (EFSCRJ), which described the alleged incident as a“blatant violation of the fundamental rights of the child.
The EFSCRJ said the alleged incident is also a blatant disregard of the law by those who are alleged to have procured and carried out female genital mutilation on the ”innocent toddler.”
“We wish to therefore commend the Police for arresting the suspects. We urge the IGP to ensure that the full force of the law is applied in this matter to deliver justice in the shortest possible time,” EFSCRJ urged the Police.
The EFSCRJ also urged the Ministry of Gender, Social Welfare and Children to ensure that there is justice in the matter.
The organisation further reminded the Ministry of its responsibility to provide public awareness about the law on FGM and ensure effective monitoring and enforcement.
“The fact that a case has emerged indicates that awareness creation and enforcement remain limited,” EFSCRJ said.
Another institution that condemned the alleged incident, is the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of the Gambia, which is deeply saddened by reports of the tragic death of a one-month-old baby, allegedly after undergoing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
“This incident is a grave violation of the child’s fundamental human rights and a reminder of the urgent need to eradicate this harmful traditional practice from our society as provided by law,” NHRC condemned.
NHRC believes that FGM not only inflicts severe physical and psychological harm on the victims but also constitutes an egregious violation of the rights to life, dignity, health and freedom from torture, cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment that are guaranteed under the 1997 Constitution, the Women’s Act, 2010 as emended, and the Children’s Act, 2005.
NHRC said The Gambia is also bound by its commitments under regional and international human rights instruments, including the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the Maputo Protocol, the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Convention Against Torture (CAT), all of which safeguard the rights of children and prohibit harmful traditional practices.
“FGM is a criminal offence under the Women (Amendment) Act 2015, and perpetrators of this heinous act must be held fully accountable under the law. NHRC commends the Police for their swift action in responding to this case,” NHRC said.
The NHRC called on the Inspector General of Police to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation into the incident, and arrest and prosecute all those responsible.
The NHRC also called on the Government to intensify and expand community awareness programmes on both the dangers and the illegality of FGM
Meanwhile, The Network Against Gender Based Violence (NGBV) condemned the alleged incident and described it as “a “tragic death.”
“This devastating incident is a stark reminder of the deadly consequences of this harmful traditional practice, which continues to claim the lives and compromise the health and dignity of girls in The Gambia. Together with the CSO Coalition Against FGM, NGBV remains resolute in its call for the total abandonment of this practice, which is a gross violation of human rights,” NGBV said in a statement.
NGBV calls on the police to conduct a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation into the case, ensuring those responsible are held fully accountable and justice is served.
“The time to end FGM is now,” MGBV said.
