Gambia Takes Bold Stand Against FGM: Three Women Convicted in Historic Case

By Mariama Dem

A groundbreaking Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) case involving three women from the Central River Region (CRR) has resulted in convictions. This marks a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing battle against FGM since the enactment of the anti-FGM law in 2015. They became the first women under the Barrow government to be convicted of female genital mutilation.

The Case

Three women were at the center of this historic case: Mba Yassin Fatty, who was apprehended while circumcising eight children between the ages of 4 months and 1 year in the village of Bakadigi Mandinka, located in CRR North of Niani District. The two other women, Nano Jawla and Kadijatou Jallow, were found guilty for allowing their children to undergo the procedure.

Verdict and Penalties

All accused parties were found guilty and fined fifteen thousand Gambian Dalasis each. In default of payment, they face a one-year prison sentence. The circumciser, Mba Yassin Fatty, also received a fine of fifteen thousand Gambian Dalasis and a potential one-year prison term.

Court Proceedings

The court proceedings, presided over by Magistrate Kanjura B Sambou, took place on July 26th, 9th, and 23rd of August 2023. However, the legal process faced challenges due to insufficient support from authorities, prompting GAMCOTRAP to engage with the Urgent Action Fund-Africa Region, which provided crucial support.

Praise for Advocacy

GAMCOTRAP (Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children), a leading feminist and women’s rights organization in The Gambia, commended the swift response to rescue the innocent children from FGM and ensure the effective implementation of the law.

GAMCOTRAP is dedicated to addressing and combating harmful traditional practices, including Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), which is one of its primary focuses. The organization works to raise awareness, provide support to victims, and advocate for policy changes to protect the health and rights of women and children in The Gambia.

The Prevalence of FGM

Despite this landmark ruling, the actual number of girls and women who have undergone FGM in The Gambia remains unknown. A recent World Bank review on The Gambia Human Capital reveals that the dangerous traditional practice still persists, with 73% of women aged 15-45 having been subjected to it.

Global Concern

On a global scale, the United Nations reports that four million girls are at risk of being subjected to FGM in 2023 alone, highlighting the urgent need to combat this abhorrent human rights violation against women and girls worldwide.

Key facts Courtesy of WHO:

• More than 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia where FGM is practiced.
• FGM is mostly carried out on young girls between infancy and age 15.
• FGM is a violation of the human rights of girls and women.
• Treatment of the health complications of FGM is estimated to cost health systems US$ 1.4 billion per year, a number expected to rise unless urgent action is taken towards its abandonment.