Her Voice Matters – Fighting Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

We strongly support all anti-FGM activists. We claim: FGM is human right violation which shall not become legal anymore.

What is FGM

Female genital mutilation (FGM) (also known as female genital cutting, female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is the ritual cutting or removal of some or all of the vulva without medical implications. More on the topic:

UN website „International Day Zero Toleration of FGM, 6.th Feb“

with useful background information and many links to other sites

WHO (World Health Organisation)

with useful background information

Wikipedia article

as an introduction to the topic

FGM in Gambia is prohibited since 2015, but …

… on 6 February 2024 of all days – the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM – a member of the National Assembly tabled a bill to decriminalize the practice. He referred to cultural and religious traditions, the practice of which the state must guarantee. The majority of MPs did not agree with him and rejected the proposal. FGM thus remains prohibited, but the proposal caused an upspring in public debates. Thus, let’s see the situation as a chance! Because, girls whose mothers have been able to come to terms with the issue have a higher chance of being spared.

UNICEF on the power of education

… to end FGM

FGM in Gambia’s statistics

Ca. 50% of Gambian women who come to an urban maternity clinic today are not circumcised. In rural area, far more women are in fact survivors of FGM. Still, all over the country the first generation of girls is growing up who were born after the 2015’s bill, and who’s mothers could protect them by law.

UNICEF-Report Gambia 2021

with figures, facts, and findings

Strong Gambian opinionleaders reject FGM – our network is amongst them

Women’s rights activists, midwives, religious dignitaries and many others speak out and contribute their views to the discourse:

Report: Her voice matters. Report of a survivor

Fatou Gaye, nurse, midwife, mother of a darra: I am a senior midwife and I know the pain our dear women are going through in the labour ward and even after birth. I will not give up the fight against FGM. I always have facts to back my talk, and I also have the Islamic background that I can place on the table.

Full interview coming up soon.

Adama Jarju, activist, founder of Daugthers of Gambia and Yakarr Female Football Academy, member of Women’s Club of Siffoe: FGM/C was previously practiced as a social custom (and not a religious matter). The state of today’s knowledge makes clear the serious negative effects of such practices on our girls. Full statement HERE

Our Statement as GBG Association – an Open Letter to the public: FGM is inacceptable

FGM – Female Genital Mutilation – is a human rights violation and must no longer be practiced. Let’s stop FGM together!

On February 6, 2024, we were speechless when we learned on the bill in the National Assembly to lift the ban on FGM in The Gambia. The MP from Foni describes FGM in The Gambia as a religious, cultural and traditional obligation that the state must guarantee. Full statement HERE