‘Cut in secret’: Gambia anti-FGM activists fear babies targeted despite ban
Summary
In The Gambia, a newborn baby girl died from injuries linked to female genital mutilation (FGM), a practice that has been illegal in the country for a decade. The incident has led to arrests and highlights the ongoing challenge of stopping FGM, which is still common despite the ban. Authorities have started an investigation, and legal actions against those involved in the case have begun.Key Facts
- A newborn girl in The Gambia died from injuries related to FGM.
- FGM has been illegal in The Gambia since 2015.
- Despite the ban, FGM remains common due to cultural beliefs.
- Police arrested at least three women in connection with the baby's death.
- The woman who performed the cutting could face life imprisonment.
- FGM is practiced by about three-quarters of Gambian women, according to UNICEF.
- In 2024, a proposal to repeal the anti-FGM law was defeated in parliament.
- FGM is culturally and religiously supported by some groups in The Gambia, creating challenges for enforcement of the ban.
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