Bound by Tradition, Divided by Choice: Women in LRR Debate FGM

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Bound by Tradition, Divided by Choice: Women in LRR Debate FGM

A decade after the Women's (Amendment) Act 2015 outlawed female genital mutilation (FGM) in The Gambia, women in the Lower River Region (LRR) remain deeply divided — caught between loyalty to tradition and growing awareness of its risks.

Despite years of advocacy, UNICEF data shows that about three in four Gambian women aged 15–49 have undergone FGM, making the country one of the highest-prevalence nations worldwide. Although the rate among younger girls is believed to be decreasing, the practice persists — often in secrecy.

Interviews conducted in March 2026 across Jarra and Kiang reveal a complex and often contradictory reality. For some women, FGM is a deeply rooted cultural and religious obligation; for others, it is a harmful practice they are determined to end.

“It is Sunnah” — Faith and Conviction

Fatoumata Barrow, a resident of Jarra Soma, firmly defends the practice, describing it as a religious duty.

“For us, FGM is a sunnah, as stated by the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W),” she said. “Even if I have a daughter tomorrow, I will make sure she goes through FGM.”

Her belief reflects a widely held perception in some communities, despite repeated clarifications from Islamic scholars that FGM is not a religious requirement.

Barrow is aware of the law but remains undeterred.

Secrecy and Survival of the Practice

Barrow recounted her own experience of being cut as a child — an event she said was disguised as a simple trip.

“We were many young girls,” she said. “We stayed with an elderly woman who washed us with local herbs every morning.”

She insists that she suffered no long-term harm. However, her story takes a more revealing turn when she describes how she recently had her daughters cut in secret.

“I brought the cutter into my parlour,” she said. “Even my neighbours don’t know.”

Her account mirrors a growing trend noted by activists: FGM moving underground. With the enforcement of the law, some families now carry out the procedure privately or take girls across borders to avoid detection.

According to the World Health Organisation, all forms of FGM have no health benefits and can lead to severe complications, including infections, childbirth difficulties, and long-term psychological trauma.

“Change Is Happening” — Voices of Resistance

For Nyima Kinteh, also from the region, the experience of FGM has led her in a different direction.

“My mother failed to protect me,” she said. “But I will protect my daughters.”

Kinteh believes the practice is slowly declining in her community, driven in part by fear of legal consequences and increased awareness.

In women’s gatherings, she said, survivors openly discuss the realities of FGM — from pain during menstruation to complications in childbirth and intimacy.

“These conversations are changing minds,” she explained. “Women are beginning to see the harm.”

Her perspective aligns with recent findings suggesting that younger generations are increasingly questioning the practice, even in high-prevalence areas.

The Push for “Medicalisation”

Not all opposition to harm translates into rejection of the practice itself.

Kujending Njie argues that instead of banning FGM, the government should regulate it.

“I believe FGM should not be condemned,” she said. “People should be trained to do it properly.”

This view — known as “medicalisation” — is strongly rejected by global health bodies. The World Health Organisation warns that medicalising FGM does not make it safe and risks legitimising a harmful practice.

A Nation Still at a Crossroads

FGM remains one of the most sensitive and contested issues in The Gambia. While institutions such as UNICEF and the World Health Organisation continue to push for total abandonment, resistance persists at the community level.

The testimonies from LRR highlight a difficult truth: laws alone are not enough.

Deeply held beliefs about identity, womanhood and religion continue to shape decisions — often behind closed doors.

As one generation begins to question the past, another holds firmly to it, leaving the future of girls in the region uncertain.

This story is part of the 'Breaking the Silence: Voices of FGM Survivors" podcast funded by the Foundation for Women's Health, Research and Development (FORWARD UK).

Authors: Nelson Manneh and Bakary Jassey