https://fatunetwork.net/from-90-to-73-gambias-slow-battle-against-female-genital-mutilation-reveals-persistent-challenges/
The Gambian Minister of Gender, Children and Social Welfare’s recent statement on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) highlights a concerning reality: despite over a decade of concentrated efforts, progress in eliminating the practice remains gradual. While any reduction is significant, the statistics reveal a stubborn persistence of this harmful tradition.
“We have registered a reduction of the FGM prevalence rate from 90% in 2009 to 76% in 2013 and further reduction to 73% currently,” the Minister reported, revealing that nearly three-quarters of the female population still faces this human rights violation. This represents just a 17% decrease over a 15-year period, averaging roughly 1% per year.

Despite the implementation of the Women’s Amendment Act in 2015, which explicitly criminalizes FGM, the practice continues to maintain a strong foothold in Gambian society. The Minister acknowledged ongoing resistance to change, noting that “We are happy that this law is maintained despite attempts for a pushback in 2023 and 2024,” suggesting active opposition to anti-FGM legislation.

The Minister emphasized that FGM remains “one of the most extreme violations of the rights of women and girls,” causing “lifelong physical, psychological, and emotional suffering.” Yet, deeply rooted cultural practices continue to challenge elimination efforts, particularly at the community level where the Minister admits “the real change happens.”

While the government celebrates the engagement of youth in anti-FGM advocacy and continues its community outreach programs, the slow rate of decline raises questions about the effectiveness of current strategies. The country’s commitment to eliminating FGM by 2030, in line with UN Sustainable Development Goals, appears increasingly ambitious given the current pace of change.
The Minister’s call for “collective efforts of all, with the active participation of communities, religious leaders, traditional leaders, teachers, health workers, and families” underscores the complexity of the challenge. However, with only a 3% reduction between 2013 and 2025, the battle against FGM in The Gambia appears to be facing significant cultural and social barriers that existing approaches have yet to effectively address.

Despite these challenges, the government maintains its commitment to elimination efforts, with the Minister asserting, “We have come a long way and will never relent, but rather we will consolidate on the gains registered and scale up our efforts.” However, the data suggests that without significant changes to current strategies, The Gambia’s goal of zero tolerance for FGM may remain elusive for generations to come.

Wassu Gambia Kafo successfully completed a three days (3) training of Health Students of SRN-Banjul on Female Genital Mutilation. The training was captivating and resourceful and provided adequate knowledge to students on FGM for their future careers. #unite2endfgm

https://standard.gm/network-holds-retreat-to-combat-fgm/
The Network Against Gender-Based Violence (NGBV) in collaboration with UNFPA on Wednesday organised a two-day retreat for civil society organisations, aimed at developing a five-year strategy to enhance advocacy efforts and combat female genital mutilation in The Gambia.

Held at Dunas Boutique Hotel in Kotu, the event brought together key stakeholders to address this pressing issue.
The retreat served as a platform for CSOs, policymakers, activists, and other partners to collaborate on creating a comprehensive roadmap that tackles the cultural, social, and legal aspects of FGM. Through intensive discussions and planning, participants explored innovative ways to strengthen advocacy efforts. and ensure long-term progress in the fight against FGM.

The retreat focused on crafting a strategic framework that aligns with both national and international goals for gender equality and human rights.
The key objectives of the retreat are to strengthen civil society intervention against harmful traditional practices in The Gambia with a specific focus on FGM/C and also to increase the knowledge of civil society organisations and networks on various forms of FGM and impacts on the survivors.
Fallu Sowe, national coordinator of NGBV, emphasised the importance of unity and collective action.
He said 2024 was a challenging year for the network as it has to deal with difficult task of ensuring that the law banning FGM in The Gambia is maintained. “But the struggle continues because, as we speak, our opponents are at the supreme court trying to overturn our achievement to ensure that the law is declared unconstitutional,” he said.

Sow disclosed that the government has started the process of developing a national strategy plan to combat FGM.

“That strategy is going to serve as a stepping stone, and we will endeavour to ensure that whatever strategy is going to be prepared by civil society aligns with the government’s strategy,” he said.

Dr Ipoade Omilaju, the Gender Promoting Initiative (GPI) project head, expressed his office’s commitment to working closely with other projects to combat FGM. He said About 230 million women and girls are affected by FGM globally.

“Africa alone contributes 62% of this population.”

https://www.voicegambia.com/2024/12/13/futile-dreams-how-fgm-impeded-girls-education-in-the-gambia/

Education is a priority for many girls but the majority of them in one way or another end up becoming victims of so many societal issues, including Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). 

Mama Fatty (not her real name) is a living testament to a failed education due to FGM. Speaking to this medium, Mama said her grandmother was among the women who influenced her family and others to circumcise their children. She said her mother is an anti-FGM supporter and always tried to protect her girls. But her grandmother has other plans in mind.

“My younger sister and I were under the protection of my mother until she traveled to the United Kingdom. One month of her stay in the UK, my grandmother took us to the circumciser and we were circumcised,” she said as tears started to roll down her cheeks.

 “This happened during my grade four third term examinations, and because of this, I could not continue the examination. The following academic year, I was advised to repeat grade four. It was difficult for me, especially seeing my peers in the next class ahead of me. Although I coped and went back to grade four, months later, I started having pain in my vulva and missing classes whenever the pain started. Gradually I realized that my days in school were minimal and my grandmother told me to stay home until I got healed to go back to school.  This marked the end of my educational career.”

Mama’s predicament isn’t unique. Another survivor, Fatou Danso (not her real name), said her memories of FGM are still vivid as the challenges she grappled with after undergoing the practice forced her to quit school.  

“I was circumcised at the age of 11, and this was after a heated push and pull between my father and my grandparents. My father’s culture firmly believes in female circumcision but with resistance from my grandparents on my mother’s side, they could not go ahead with the practice. This was the case until my grandfather passed away, and this topic was raised again. This time, they succeeded. I was in grade 5 then, and this experience changed my life. I could not tell any of my friends about what happened to me as it seemed strange and embarrassing to explain.

“I grew from a bold and sharp pupil to a quiet and timid girl. My grades dropped, and my mom was worried but there was nothing she could do. I stayed home for months and did not feel the same anymore because I was traumatized and always lost concentration during classes. So, my mother took me to the village for treatment and I never returned home to continue my schooling.”

Low sensitization as an issue

The National Coordinator of the Network against Gender-Based Violence (NGBV), Fallu Sowe, pointed out that FGM affects the reproductive health of the girl-child particularly type II and III which are more prevalent in The Gambia. This, he said, can make adolescent girls miss classes due to reproductive health problems.

“The level of sensitization on the impact of FGM on the education of girls is very low because many people don’t even know that there is a relation between the effects of FGM and the education of girls,” he said.

Activist Sowe disclosed that many survivors of FGM were seriously re-traumatized by FGM discussion before the ban was maintained which could have a psychological impact on them. In turn, he said this can affect their level of attention in class during lessons.

But that’s not the only issue. The Gambian rights activist said girls from non-practicing cultures may be affected because their peers and teachers from practicing cultures may be calling them names like “Solima”—a Mandinka word used against an uncircumcised person.

“This is insulting to them and can prevent some girls from going to school to avoid the embarrassment and bullying by their peers,” he explained. 

Teachers’ observations   

Matis Bass, a teacher with over a decade of experience, said throughout his experience in the field of teaching, FGM has caused a lot of havoc on female students.

“FGM causes frequent absenteeism which can lead to poor performance of the child because if you don’t attend school regularly it will affect your classes and when exams come your performance will be affected.

“It also causes school dropouts due to lack of concentration, pain, and poor performance. They also lack self-esteem because they are always silent even when speaking on other subject matters. So it’s like when they are cut, it reduces them to nothing,” he said.

Another teacher, Isatou DH Camara, added that FGM can hinder and even end school-going girls’ education due to the snags suffered by girls following the practice. She said these snags include health issues they face during the process of cutting such as pain and distress they encounter throughout the process.

“Students that undergo this practice can miss school for a couple of months (3 to 4 months) for complete healing to take place. In my experience of being a teacher, there were several cases I encountered where those students missed schools for 3 months due to FGM,” she said.

According to the Orchid Project report titled Intersection Between Female Genital Cutting (FGC) and Education published in July 2021, FGC often acts as a barrier to girls’ education, particularly when it serves as a precursor for child marriage and it can also lead to school dropouts because of health consequences and prolonged absences related to cutting.

“At the same time, education is often considered key to helping girls escape FGC and as a basis for a successful strategy for communities to abandon the practice. The limited evidence on the intersection between education and female genital cutting, however, points to the need for more research and investigation to better understand the linkages,” the report added.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reported that over 230 million women and girls around the world are victims of FGM, of which 144 million victims live in Africa. Human rights organizations, including the United Nations, have urged countries to end FGM practices for the last two decades.

According to a recent survey (name of the survey), 73% of women in The Gambia have undergone FGM with 65% of those being under the age of five. The practice is usually conducted by older women in society. 

Conflict with national and international laws

Human Rights Lawyer, Anna Njie, said FGM-related health and psychological issues can lead to school absenteeism and hinder educational performance. She said this is in conflict with The Education Act 2004 and Article 10 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), which promotes equal access to education for all girls.

 “The trauma and health complications from FGM can impact a girl’s ability to concentrate and succeed in school, thereby impeding the fulfillment of educational rights as outlined in national and international laws,” she said.

According to her, FGM is addressed under The Gambia’s 1997 Constitution, the Women’s Act 2010 (as amended in 2015), and international conventions such as the Maputo Protocol (Article 5) and CEDAW (Article 2), which criminalize harmful practices and ensure protection against violations.

“The prohibition of degrading treatment is enshrined in Section 21 of The Gambia’s Constitution and Article 4 of the Maputo Protocol, which aligns with the global standard for respecting human dignity. The Women’s Act 2010, along with the Maputo Protocol (Article 5) and CEDAW provide legal frameworks for accountability and justice for victims of FGM,” she said.  

The rights lawyer said the Women’s Act 2010 and related laws including the Maputo Protocol (Article 5) and CEDAW (Article 2) should be among the measures put in place to ensure women and girls are fully protected, especially school-going girls.

She also clamored for the development and implementation of educational campaigns to raise awareness about FGM and its legal consequences, in line with the Gender and Women’s Empowerment Policy and international standards.

“Provide comprehensive support services for FGM survivors, including healthcare and psychological support, as advocated by the Public Health Act and Article 14 of the Maputo Protocol.

“Integrate FGM prevention and response strategies into school policies and curricula, ensuring safe environments for affected students and adhering to the principles outlined in CEDAW (Article 10).

“Equip law enforcement and judicial personnel with training to handle FGM cases effectively, respecting legal standards set by national laws and international conventions,” she pointed out.

https://www.voicegambia.com/2025/01/07/taba-addiction-and-its-dangers-among-gambian-women-and-girls/

“Taba,” the Mandinka term for tobacco, refers to a locally made tobacco substance that was commonly used by older generations in The Gambia well before independence. This practice, which was often adopted by individuals seeking energy boosts or stress relief, has taken a troubling turn in recent years. Today, a mixture of various substances under the same name is being used predominantly by women and girls, and shockingly, it is applied through their genitals for a range of purposes.

Sold discreetly at local markets and within communities, the substance is usually wrapped in small plastic knot-packs. Women have coined it “Musul la boro” in Mandinka and “Garab jigeen” in Wolof, both meaning “medicine for women.” However, this so-called medicine is having alarming health consequences, with experts raising concerns about its dangerous effects. Addiction to Taba among Gambian women is reportedly on the rise, based on anecdotal evidence.

Due to the sensitive nature of the issue, and at the request of some sources, their real names will be withheld.
Long-Distance Marriage: A Path to Taba Use
Fatima, 35, married in her final year of high school to a husband who soon left The Gambia for Europe via the irregular back-way migration. Over eight years later, her husband still hasn’t been able to visit due to lack of documentation. This separation led Fatima to begin using Taba, which ultimately caused her to develop pelvic inflammatory disease.

“One day, on my way to the market, a neighborhood friend told me about Taba. I tried it, and the first time, I thought I was going to die—I felt dizzy, constantly vomited, and had diarrhea,” Fatima explained. After that first bad experience, she stopped for a while but later resumed using it and became addicted.

“Once you get used to it, you stop worrying about your man. You don’t care whether he’s there or not. Now, I regret it. I’m on continuous medication to treat myself before my husband returns. The treatment is helping, but I don’t feel the same anymore,” she said.

Divorce Caused by Taba Addiction

Isatou had waited for years for a suitor, but no one asked for her hand in marriage. A friend suggested that Taba would help her lose interest in married men. Unfortunately, her first experience was disastrous.

“The first time I used it, I became unconscious. After I recovered, I used it again. Recently, I got married, but I can’t stop. Every time I use it, I feel repulsed by my husband’s touch. When he tries to be intimate, it doesn’t work, and we argue—leading to our divorce,” she shared.

From Medical Remedy to Pleasure

Awa’s experience with Taba began when it was introduced to her as a cure for infections. However, over time, she realized that it did not heal her, and the pleasure it brought kept her hooked.

“It causes bruising, intense itching, and even prevents me from urinating. Sometimes I bleed, but that doesn’t stop me from using it,” Awa explained. “It has become an addiction. I used to apply it only at night when my husband was away, but now I use it more than twice a day.”

Despite its small size and low cost—D10—Awa noted that the more one uses it, the more it drains her financially.

The Booming Business of Taba

Fanta, a seasoned Taba vendor, proudly speaks of her thriving business, narrating “I sell two types of Taba—one for snuff and the intra-vaginal variety. I keep the intra-vaginal Taba hidden, but customers know where to find me,” she said. “On a busy day, I can sell between 2,000 to 3,000 dalasis, with some customers buying up to D500 worth.”

She declared that the intra-vaginal Taba is stored in a plastic bottle, carefully kept away from the wind to prevent it from drying out, as it would lose its potency. Some customers even buy it to resell in Europe.

Kumba, another dealer, explained that the wholesale price is D500 for a full black plastic bag, and she sells individual packs for D10 to D15. She dismissed concerns about its harmful effects, saying, “People say it’s bad, but I see nothing wrong with it. The first time is tough, but once you get used to it, it makes you feel good.”

Kumba admits she doesn’t know the exact chemicals used in Taba, but she believes they don’t cause harm.

The Health Risks of Taba

Gambian gynecologist Dr. Musa Marena, Head of Reproductive Maternal, Neonatal, Child, and Adolescent Health at the Ministry of Health, provided a grim assessment of Taba’s effects.

“Taba is a concoction that contains substances with aphrodisiac properties. It is used to treat sexual infections or dysfunctions, but the danger lies in the way it is absorbed by the body,” Dr. Marena explained. “It can cause chemical injury to the reproductive tract, increasing the risk of infections and complicating the healing process.”

Dr. Marena emphasized that Taba’s use can lead to severe reproductive consequences, including infertility, sexual dysfunction, and even deformity of the vagina. He also pointed out that it heightens the risk of sexually transmitted infections, such as HIV and cervical cancer.

“Most women using Taba do so in secret. When we examine them, we often find signs of its use. The substances are usually sticky, powdery, and black,” he added. According to Dr. Marena, the most common users are women between the ages of 25 and 45.

The Need for Awareness and Legislation

Women’s rights activist and Country Director of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, Tabu Njie Sarr, called for immediate action. She noted that the negative health impact of Taba is significant, with growing concerns about fertility issues among the younger generation.

“Taba has been around for generations, but its current use needs to be addressed as it is harming both individuals and the health system,” Sarr warned. She also expressed concern about its growing prevalence among schoolgirls, citing peer pressure and experimentation as factors driving usage.

“We need more data to create awareness and build capacity. Taba should be categorized alongside other harmful practices, with a concerted advocacy campaign to raise awareness,” she said.

Hon. Fatou Sanyang Kinteh, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Welfare

Gender Minister Fatou Kinteh stated that the advocacy against Taba use has been ongoing since 2020. Her ministry, in partnership with the Mothers Health Foundation (MOHF), has been working to raise awareness about its negative health impacts, including training female councilors on the issue.

“If Taba is banned, it will have a much greater impact and will be the only way we can truly succeed,” she emphasized. “But we need to collaborate with MOHF and the Ministry of Health to determine what can be done.”

Minister Kinteh expressed concerns about the lack of data on Taba usage, explaining that having such data would allow them to set measurable targets, similar to the approach taken with the fight against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). “With FGM, we conducted studies to gather data and use it as a baseline to measure the impact of our advocacy efforts. But with Taba, the situation is different. We need a study to understand the extent of its use, so we can develop accurate data and set clear goals to address the issue,” she added.

While she urged women and girls to stop using Taba, Kintehlamented the troubling fact that young women are still engaging in its use. She called on them to stop considering the serious health consequences associated with it.

Fatmata Tambi of the Mothers Health Foundation (MOHF) explained that the modern version of Taba is a modified form of the substance once used by elders, containing ingredients such as cow dung, burnt tree ashes, and marijuana. She echoed Minister Kinteh’s call for further research to understand the chemical composition of the substance, revealing that their foundation is awaiting results from a study conducted by their research partners to investigate this.

“Taba should be included in tobacco regulations, with surveillance and legal action against violators,” Tambi recommended. “It’s also crucial for users, or former users, to schedule regular screenings to ensure they receive timely treatment and discontinue its use.”

The Islamic Perspective on Taba

Sheikh Ebrahim Jarju, Vice President of the Supreme Islamic Council, described Taba as “haram” (forbidden) in Islam. He explained that the use of Taba undermines the marital bond by diminishing the pleasure a woman should experience with her husband, which violates Islamic principles.

“If a woman uses Taba, she denies her husband the rights to the pleasure that should come from their union,” he said. He also warned that continued use of Taba could lead to infertility and ultimately harm the birth rate, which impacts future generations.

The Way Forward: Legislation and Education

In 2022, researchers from the University of The Gambia and the University of Ibadan in Nigeria conducted a study on genital tobacco powder use among Gambian women. The study found that women with lower education levels were more susceptible to using Taba, often encouraged by close friends and family.

According to the study’s authors, creating awareness is the most effective way to combat the practice. However, much remains to be done to address the growing problem and prevent further harm.

The government, civil society, and media must all unite in a proactive campaign to protect women and girls from the dangers of Taba.

Final Thoughts

The prevalence of Taba usage among Gambian women and girls is a growing public health crisis. While its addictive qualities and harmful effects are clear, the lack of concrete data and widespread awareness means the practice persists. It is crucial that more studies are conducted to understand the full impact of Taba and that laws are put in place to protect the health and well-being of women and girls in The Gambia.

https://foroyaa.net/supreme-court-hears-case-challenging-criminalisation-of-female-circumcision/

The five panel of judges of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Hassan B. Jallow has given time for people seeking the court to declare the criminalization of female circumcision unconstitutional.
Under the Gambian laws, the Supreme Court has the exclusive powers to interpret and enforce the Constitution.
Almameh Gibba, the National Assembly Member for Foni Kansala and seven others have filed a case before the Supreme Court seeking to decriminalise the practice of female circumcision. The case is against the Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
Honourable Almameh Gibba presented a Bill before the National Assembly on 4 March 2024 for the repeal of the law banning female circumcision in The Gambia. This practice is widely conducted for religious and cultural reasons which the National Assembly voted against on 15 July 2024 after the adoption of a report by the Health and Gender Committee. Now he is before the Supreme Court on the same mission, which is to decriminalise the practice of female circumcision.
The people and organisations that filed the case were: Almameh Gibba, Yassin Fatty, Nano Jawla, Kadijatou Jallow, Concerned Citizens, Islamic Enlightenment Society, Women’s Association for Islamic Solidarity and Gambian Women are Free to Choose. Yassin, Nano and Kadijatou are natives of Kuntaur in the Central River Region who the
Kaur Magistrate’s Court convicted for engaging in the act of female circumcision.
The applicants (Honourable Almameh Gibba and Others) want the Supreme Court to declare that the amendment of Section 32 of the Women’s Act of 2010 and the insertion of new Sections 32A and 32B in the Women’s (Amendment) Act in 2015 prohibiting the act of female circumcision contravenes the 1997 Constitution of the Gambia. The sections the said amendment violated according to Almameh Gibba and his colleagues were Sections 17 (1) and (2), 25 (1) (c), 28 (1) and (2), 32 and 33 (2) and (3) of the 1997 Constitution.

When the case was called, Almameh Gibba announced his presence and informed the court that he was ready to represent himself in the trial.
The other applicants who are: Yassin Fatty, Nano Jawla, Kadijatou Jallow, Concerned Citizens, Islamic Enlightenment Society, Women’s Association for Islamic Solidarity and Gambian Women are Free informed the court that they are working on getting the service of a lawyer.
The Supreme Court gave them time to find a lawyer because they had still not got a lawyer.
The case was adjourned to the next term of the Supreme Court hearing.
The Court informed them that they should use this period to secure the service of a lawyer.
They are asking the Supreme Court to declare that the amendment of Section 32 of the Women’s Act of 2010 and the insertion of new Sections 32A and 32B in the Women’s (Amendment) Act, which was Act Number 11 of 2015 prohibiting the act of female circumcision contravenes the 1997 Constitution of the Gambia since they are inconsistent with Sections 17 (1) and (2), 25 (1) (c), 28 (1) and (2), 32 and 33 (2) and (3) of the 1997 Constitution and therefore, ultra vires, null and void.
Secondly, they are seeking the apex court to make an order striking down Sections 32A and 32B of the Women’s (Amendment) Act No. 11 of 2015 from the Women’s Act of 2010 so that only Section 32 of the original provision of the Women’s Act of 2010 will be maintained.
Thirdly, they are seeking a declaration that the act of the National Assembly in passing the Women’s (Amendment) Act 2015 was done more than legislative authority and therefore, void and of no effect for being inconsistent with Sections 17 (1) and (2), 25 (1) (c), 28 (1) and (2), 32 and 33 (2) and (3) of the 1997 Constitution.