Kibbir Alkalo Declares Zero Tolerance for FGM in His Community

PC: Alkalo Ebrima Boye

In a significant step for child protection, the village head of Kibbir Wolof, Ebrima Boye, has declared a zero-tolerance policy against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), pledging to protect girls in his community from the harmful practice.

His declaration supports national efforts in The Gambia to uphold the 2015 law banning FGM, legislation that continues to face both legal and social challenges. By taking a public stance, Boye joins a growing number of community leaders advocating for the abandonment of the practice and the protection of women and girls.

During an interview held on 17 February 2026 in Kibbir Wolof Village, in the Central River Region, Boye stated that no girl in his community should be subjected to FGM. The meeting brought together community leaders, youth advocates, and activists to discuss different perspectives on the issue and find ways to eliminate it.

Boye stressed that protecting girls from harmful practices is a collective responsibility. While acknowledging that FGM has been practised for generations in some communities, he said it is not part of Wolof cultural traditions.

“In my tribe, the Wolof, our ancestors did not practice FGM,” he explained, adding that the practice should not be justified in the name of culture.

He also clarified that FGM is not a religious obligation in Islam. According to him, any practice that harms individuals should be abandoned regardless of whether it is perceived as cultural or traditional.

The Alkalo noted that Kibbir Wolof is a diverse community where residents from different ethnic backgrounds live, some of whom may still practice FGM. However, he made it clear that anyone found performing the procedure will be reported to the authorities.

He explained that once he learned the practice was illegal, he informed residents that anyone involved in FGM and reported to him would be referred to law enforcement, adding that he would not shield any perpetrator.

Boye acknowledged that reports persist of individuals secretly carrying out the procedure on their children. However, he said action can only be taken when there is clear evidence.

According to him, the secrecy surrounding the practice makes it difficult to address, as some perpetrators attempt to conceal their actions to avoid prosecution.

Despite these challenges, Boye expressed strong support for the law banning FGM, arguing that any practice with harmful health consequences should not be permitted.

He also revealed that he has taken part in several awareness programmes across communities in the Central River Region, where the message remains clear: the practice is illegal and must not be carried out on any girl.

Boye concluded by reiterating that whenever the issue arises in his community, his position will remain firm: the practice must end to protect girls and uphold the law.

This article is part of the Breaking the Silence: Voices of FGM Survivors Project, supported by the Foundation for Women’s Health Research and Development (FORWARD UK).

Author: Nelson Manneh