By: Bakary Jassey
Journalist
The most recent national prevalence rate, according to the Demographic Health Survey of the Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GBOS 2019-2020), indicates that 73% of women are affected, with FGM Type II being the most practiced form. “It is assumed that recent backlash against anti-FGM efforts has led to a defiantpromotion of the practice by some Imams in Gambian communities, despite the ban in place. As a result, the prevalence of FGM Type II may continue to rise.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is largely viewed by many as a cultural practice with religious significance in Gambian society
Fallu Sowe, National Coordinator of Network Against Gender Based Violence (NGBV) emphasizes that FGM is perpetuated by cultural misconceptions that serve as social sanctions for its continuation.
“These misconceptions include the belief that FGM is a sunnah, a practice endorsed by the Holy Prophet of Islam (SAW). Additionally, there is a widespread belief that the procedure purifies and cleanses the girl. Some hold the erroneous view that if the clitoris is not removed, it will grow excessively, resembling a tail. Furthermore, there is a belief that FGM enhances a woman’s ability to remain chaste.”
Type II FGM involves the partial or complete removal of the clitoris and the inner labia, which are the folds of skin surrounding the vagina. This procedure may also include the removal of the labia majora, the larger outer lips.
The Women’s Amendment Act of 2015 establishes legal measures to combat FGM in The Gambia. Sections 32A and 32B outline provisions that criminalize, prohibit, and impose penalties for any acts associated with FGM.
Despite these legal frameworks, girls continue to be subjected to excruciating practice due to inadequate implementation of the law. This have raised concern about the ongoing prevalence of FGM in the country and highlights the need for more robust enforcement and community education to protect women’s rights and health.
Mr. Sowe highlights what he describes as significant gaps in the law, particularly regarding cross-border enforcement and monitoring, which need to be addressed to ensure its effectiveness.
He expressed concern over the recent threats, and hostility directed at anti-FGM advocates and activists, whose only crime is to protect women and girls as provided by the law.
“This situation is alarming and has resulted to many activists to remain silent out of fear or due to advice from their parents.”
Tabou Njie Sarr, Country Director of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy in The Gambia, also expressed concern over the potential increase in the prevalence of Type II Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in communities. This worrying trend, she said, isfueled by recent backlash that led to the practice being promoted by some religious scholars.
Despite these challenges, Sarr remains optimistic, noting that many Imams have changed their positions on FGM. She emphasized the importance of enforcing the law that bans FGM, stating that it must be upheld to serve as a deterrent and to put an end to all forms of the practice.
Hawa Sunbundou, a member of the Paradise Foundation and the ‘Ask Bajen’ Coordinator, emphasized the urgent need to eliminate all forms of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
She stated, “FGM exposes many young girls to infections, as a single blade is often used to cut multiple girls during the procedure.Many victims of FGM endure constant pain but remain silent due to feelings of shame and fear of societal judgment. Many women only discuss the pain caused by FGM when the suffering becomes unbearable, often necessitating the involvement of a third party for support.”
For some FGM victims, sexual intercourse is associated with pain rather than pleasure, leading to fear and anxiety about intimacy with their partners. This fear can result in significant marital problems, Hawa Sunbundou noted.
Some FGM survivors bravely shared their traumatic experiences, including Mariama Marong.
“I was not only cut but also sealed. On the first night I was given to my husband, he was unable to penetrate,” Mariama recounted.
“I was taken to the ‘Nyansinba,’ the woman who carries out the procedure, to have the seal removed. It was excruciating, blood oozing out, and then I was sent back to my husband so he could have intercourse with me in that condition. If he did not have intercourse with me that night, the seal would remain intact again. I have to endure unimaginable pain for many hours and days afterwards.”
Mariama’s story highlights the severe physical and emotional toll that FGM can inflict on women and girls.
Ida Baldeh, a 25-year-old survivor of female genital mutilation (FGM), also shared her personal experience about the practice.
“I was 10 years old when I underwent FGM,” she recalled. “At that time, I felt happy to go through the procedure because it was part of my culture. However, as I grew older, I noticed some changes in my body. I conducted my own research and realized that I was not only cut but also sealed.”
Upon discovering the full extent of what was done to her, Ida confronted her mother about the procedure.
“My mother told me it wasn’t her decision; it was my grandmother’s,” she said. “In that moment, I promised myself to raise awareness about the dangers of FGM and to advocate for change.”
Ida stated: “I suffer a lot during my mensural cycle. Right now, I don’t think I will ever get married because the thought of enduring the pain again, especially from the cutting of my private parts to have intercourse with a man, is unbearable.”
“I have been rejecting many suitors because of this reason; it is so traumatizing,” she added.
Ida continued, “It’s not easy to talk about one’s privacy, but because of what FGM has caused me, I cannot remain silent. I must voice my pain.”
Fatima Sahra Jarju, another survivor of FGM, recounted her traumatic experience: “Talking about the procedure is incredibly difficult. I was cut with a razor blade, lying on the floor with my legs wide open, and I lost a lot of blood. It was shocking to go through such an ordeal, and I developed a high fever afterward.”
She continued, “I remember being taken home, and it was a nightmare for me. I couldn’t pass urine properly; I was still bleeding, and my urine would come out mixed with clots of blood. Every time I needed to pee; I felt an overwhelming sense of fear.”
“I was deeply affected both physically and emotionally. I experienced sleepless nights, and whenever I heard someone mention the name of the woman who performed the cutting, I felt traumatized. The pain resurfaced, and my mind would inevitably return to what she had done to me.”
“I also recall how they used herbs to treat the wound where my clitoris had been cut. The smell of the herbs was unbearable, and it was difficult for me to sit or walk comfortably. I was the last person to heal, and it took me more than a month to recover fully,” Fatima noted.
By sharing their stories, Fatima believes survivors can foster a supportive community and encourage others to seek help and healing.
Halimatou Jallow, a nurse midwife, has shed light on the short- and long-term health complications associated with female genital mutilation (FGM).
“One of the immediate health complications of FGM is hemorrhage, or excessive bleeding. The clitoris has a rich blood supply, and when it is cut, significant bleeding can occur, especially if the person performing the procedure is unaware of how to manage it effectively,” Jallow explained.
She also highlighted acute pain as a common consequence, which can lead to fainting, fear of urination, or even partial closure of the urethra—the opening through which urine exits the body.
The urethral opening is located beneath the clitoris, and when it is cut, it can swell and partially obstruct the urethra, leading to acute urine retention. This condition can result in infections, and affected individuals, particularly children, often experience high fevers.
“Occasionally, dislocations and fractures can also occur,” she stated.
Miss Jallow also shed light on some of the long-term health complications associated with Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), particularly emphasizing the painful menstruation experienced by those who have undergone Type III FGM, which involves not only cutting but also sealing.
“Another long-term complication is experiencing pain during sex,” Jallow explained. “After the procedure, as the wound heals, it can form scar tissue that prevents the vagina from stretching, leading to discomfort during intercourse.”
Additionally, Jallow pointed out that women who have undergone FGM may face complications during labor and delivery due to the constricted nature of their anatomy. These issues can significantly impact their overall health and well-being.
Jallow continued, adding that another long-term health complication of FGM is fistula, which can occur due to prolonged labor. This condition creates a hole between the bladder and the vagina or between the rectum and the vagina, known as a vaginal fistula. This serious and long-term health issue affects many women, leading to involuntary leakage of both urine and feces, which can result in significant social stigma.”
“Another long-term health complication caused by FGM is the formation of keloids around the affected area,” she stated.
Attempts by a member of parliament with support from some religious to repeal the anti-FGM law in the aftermath of the first prosecution and convictions of individuals involved in the practice under the Women’s Act failed in July 2024 when Parliament voted overwhelmingly to maintain it.
In August 2023, the Kaur/Kuntaur Magistrates’ Court convicted three women for performing FGM on eight adolescent girls. This landmark judgment marked the first conviction for the offence since the law banning FGM was enacted in 2015.
It was in response to this ruling that a few religious leaders supported by some members of parliament attempted to repeal the law by amending the Women’s Act. Their proposal sought to introduce a provision allowing ‘consent’ for women who wish to undergo FGM as part of their cultural or religious practices.
However, on July 15, 2024, the Gambian Parliament decisively rejected the Women’s (Amendment) Bill, which aimed to remove provisions that criminalize FGM in the country. The parliament voted against the bill, reaffirming its commitment to protecting women’s rights and combating the practice of FGM.
The Women’s (Amendment) Act remains a critical piece of legislation in the fight against FGM in The Gambia.