By: Nyima Sillah
The first FGM case since the enactment of the anti-FGM law has culminated in the conviction of three Bakadaji women, a press release from GAMCOTRAP revealed.
Female circumciser Mba Yassin Fatty of Bakadaji Mandinka village in Niani District of Central River Region was caught in the process of circumcising eight children in the age bracket of four months and one year.
The two women, whose children were circumcised, have also been convicted after being found guilty of violating the law, prohibiting FGM.
This was the first time that the anti-FGM law caught up with individuals since its enactment in 2015.
The convicts were arrested on 16 January 2023, and in a press release sent to this medium on Thursday, GAMCOTRAP said: “The mothers are Nano Jawla and Kaddijatou Jallow. The accused were found guilty and fined fifteen thousand Dalasiseach and in default will serve one year in prison. The court process has three court appearances, which were presided over by Magistrate Kanjura B. Sambou, which started on July 26th, 9th August, and 23rd August 2023, respectively. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) was represented by Banjugu Njie.”
While describing the development as progress in the application of the law, GAMCOTRAP said a lot needs to be done to end FGM in The Gambia. The anti-FGM group urged all other actors, who are receiving funds from partners in the name of FGM, to be committed to the cause.
“GAMCOTRAP will continue to monitor closely all the regions and support the CBFs to continue engaging with their various cluster communities,” it stated.
“Currently, schools are on holidays and it is brought to our attention that some families are taking their children from the Greater Banjul Area to the rural areas to be circumcised during the holiday period. GAMCOTRAP is intensifying the surveillance across all the regions of The Gambia. Anyone found to engage in practicing FGM on the girl-child will face the law,” GAMCOTRAP warned.
GAMCOTRAP meanwhile acknowledged the support that the Urgent Action Fund -Africa Region has been rendering to rescue these innocent children from FGM and ensuring the effective implementation of the law against FGM. The anti-FGM group also expressed gratitude to UNFPA/UNICEF for their support to end FGM in The Gambia.
“We want to express appreciation to them for the support to grassroots activism to end FGM in The Gambia. The public is hereby reminded that FGM violates the sexual and reproductive health rights of women and girls and the law bans it. It is a form of violence against women and girl-children,” GAMCOTRAP stated in its news release.
