Gambia FGM case moves to court

Three Gambian women face charges after the death of a one month old girl following female genital mutilation.

Three Gambian women charged after newborn death linked to FGM

Three women in The Gambia have been charged under the 2015 Women’s Amendment Act in connection with the death of a one-month-old girl who was subjected to female genital mutilation. The case comes as the country, which banned FGM in 2015, continues to grapple with a public debate sparked by prosecutions of cutters last year.

Police said preliminary findings indicate the child was circumcised and later developed severe bleeding, and she died after being rushed to Bundung Maternal and Child Health Hospital. Civil society groups called the incident a sharp reminder of the need to enforce the law while opponents warn the ban risks driving the practice underground.

The case lays bare a fundamental clash inside Gambian society between tradition and the protection of children's rights. It also tests how quickly authorities can translate law into real outcomes beyond headlines.

Public reaction is divided. Rights groups press for visible enforcement and accountability, while some communities and political voices argue the ban has become a flashpoint that fuels secrecy and backlash. The bigger question is whether legal bans alone can change a practice rooted in culture and faith, or if broader social change is needed.

Highlights

The case may redefine how The Gambia balances tradition with child protection.