Gambian police have charged three women in connection with the death of a one-month-old girl from complications following female genital mutilation (FGM), a case that has ignited nationwide condemnation.
The suspects face prosecution under the Women’s (Amendment) Act, 2015, which criminalises FGM. Police said one woman, who could face life in prison, has been remanded in custody, while two alleged accomplices have been released on bail.
“This is more than just a case — it is a national wake-up call,” said Emmanuel Joof, chair of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), describing FGM as both a criminal act and a violation of human rights.
FGM has been banned in The Gambia for nearly a decade but remains common. Last year, lawmakers rejected a bill to repeal the ban, which would have made The Gambia the first country to reverse such legislation.
“No cultural or traditional justification should override the obligation to protect children from harm,” the NHRC said.
