Three women have been charged over the suspicious FGM-precipitated death of a one-month-old girl.
The slamming of criminal charges against the women followed a police investigation into the matter, which generated intense social media debate about FGM.
The charges were filed under the Women’s (Amendment) Act, 2015, which criminalizes the cutting of part or whole of the female genitalia for non-medical reasons.
The police investigation followed a flash report on August 10th, 2025, detailing the infant’s death in the Wellingara area.
The first accused, Fatou Camara, faces the most severe charge under Section 32(A) of the Act, which stipulates a penalty of life imprisonment.
Camara has been remanded in custody by Magistrate Sambou of the Brikama Magistrates’ Court, pending further legal proceedings.
The two other women, Oumie Sawaneh and Hawa Conteh, have been charged under Section 32(B)as accomplices to female circumcision. Unlike the primary charge, this is a bailable offense, and both women have been granted bail.
The Gambia Police Force (GPF) has reaffirmed its dedication to protecting vulnerable individuals and has called on the public to report any harmful traditional practices to the nearest police station.
This case highlights the ongoing efforts to enforce the laws against FGM, a practice that has been widely condemned in many quarters for its severe health risks and human rights violations.
