Female genital mutilation in Gambia (FGM)

Female genital mutilation in Gambia (FGM)

In The Gambia, the practice of FGM is generally carried out on infants and girls between the ages of 2 to 14 years. It is often performed by traditional practitioners commonly called circumcisers in The Gambia. The procedure is performed without anesthesia and using knives or razor blades.

The Women’s Amendment Act 2015 prohibits female circumcision and imposes a stiff penalty on anyone who performs the practice on a child. It also punishes anyone who requests, incites or promotes female circumcision, or who has knowledge that it is about to happen or has happened and refuse to report it to the proper authorities. However, being a highly patriarchal and predominantly Muslim society, FGM is sometimes erroneously associated with a religious obligation while others associate it with their cultural beliefs.


References: Mics Survey 2018