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The death of a one -month -old girl who has fallen victim to injury to the genitals (FGM) in Gambia has caused extensive indignation.
Police said the child had been sent to a hospital in the capital, Bandjul, after he had heavy bleeding, but on arrival was announced dead.
Despite the fact that exposing is still carried out to establish the cause of her death, many people have linked it to the FGM, or female pruning, cultural practice banned in West Africa.
“Culture is not justification, tradition is not a shield, it is violence, clean and simple,” the leading non-governmental organization, women in leadership and release (Will) said.
Two women were arrested for allegedly participating in the death of a child, police said.
The Northern District MP, where the incident took place, emphasized the need to protect children from harmful practices that deprive them of their health, dignity and life.
“The loss of this innocent child should not be forgotten. Let this point to the turning point and the moment for our nation to restore its unwavering commitment to the protection of the right to life, the safety and dignity of each child,” said Abduli Siez.
FGM is intentional abruptly or removing the external genitals of a woman.
The most common causes of its conduct are social recognition, religious beliefs, misconceptions about hygiene, a means of preserving the girl or woman’s virginity, which makes her “marriage” and enhance a man’s sexual pleasure.
Gambia is one of the 10 countries with the highest FGM, with 73% of women and girls aged 15 to 49 years, and many do so up to six years.
Founder Will Fat Balde said BBC that there is an increase in FGM procedures on children in Gambia.
“Parents feel that when they cut their girls when they are babies, they are faster, but also, from the law, they feel that when they do it at such a young age, it is much easier to mask so that people don’t know,” she said.
FGM was banned in Gambia since 2015, and penalties and imprisonment up to three years for criminals and lifelong proposals when the girl is killed.
However, in 2023 there were only two persecution and one conviction.
A strong group of lobby appeared, which requires the decriminalization of the FGM, but the legislation aimed at lifting the ban was recognized in parliament last year.
FGMs are banned in more than 70 countries in the world, but continues to practice, especially in the countries of Muslim Africa’s Muslim, such as Gambia.
