The death of a one month for female genital mutilation (MGF) in the city of Wellingara, in western Gambiahe aroused outrage and rejection of feminist organizations, which demanded “accountability” for those involved and greater “political will” to end this type of practices.
“Laws alone are not enough. True change requires sustained education, community participation and political will,” said Efe, this Monday, the founder of the association Women in leadership and liberation (Will), Fatou Baldeh.
According to the Gambia police, the baby was subjected to a circumcisionsuffered one severe hemorrhage and was declared dead upon arriving at the Maternal Child Hospital of Bundung. So far, there are two women detained for their alleged involvement in the case.
“We demand from the Gambia Police, to the Ministry of Justice and all the relevant authorities that guarantee a exhaustive research And the immediate processing of all those involved, without exception, ”said the association in a statement.
“The Accountability It must be extended to all who facilitated, allowed or allowed this act to occur, ”they added.
Baldeh stressed that the MGF is deeply rooted in Gambian society for cultural beliefs, erroneous religious interpretations and deficiencies in the application of the law.
According to activist data, 70 % of women in the country are subject to this practice And almost half of the girls are mutilated before the age of five.
“Although the government has maintained the Prohibition of female genital mutilation And it has a national strategy to end this practice in 2030, lagoons in the application of persistent law and cultural norms require greater efforts to protect girls, ”he said.
Also the feminist organization and human rights’The Girl’s Agenda‘(The girl’s agenda) expressed indignation and claimed the full application of the law.
“We do not need a life to be lost to demonstrate that Female genital mutilation is harmful. We are outraged by this tragedy and demand the full application of the MGF law, ”said the collective in his X account.
“It is our duty to protect our childrendo not expose them to harmful practices that can tragically end their lives, ”they added.
The female genital mutilation was prohibited in Gambia in 2015, But the law is currently under review by the Supreme Court, which will hold a hearing next October to decide whether it maintains or repeals the prohibition.
