Mother Kept Daughter Away from Village to Protect Her from FGM

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In the rural community of Kibbir Wolof, a mother faced a difficult decision between adhering to tradition and protecting her daughter's safety. Ultimately, she chose to prioritise her child's well-being, even if it meant keeping her away from the family village for several years.

For generations, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) has been regarded in some communities as a cultural requirement that marks the transition from girlhood to womanhood. However, an increasing number of mothers and survivors are challenging this tradition, often distancing themselves and their children from relatives and community pressures to avoid the practice.

In areas where FGM continues, it is frequently linked with social acceptance, marriageability, and notions of purity. Families who refuse to participate in the practice may face stigma, harassment, or exclusion from social and religious events.

For some elders, abandoning this ritual is perceived as a rejection of ancestral customs. Amie Gaye, a resident of Kibbir Wolof in the Central River Region, described the pressure she encountered when her first daughter was just three years old.

In an interview conducted in February 2026 in her home village, Gaye explained that her mother wanted her daughter to undergo circumcision, but she refused. To protect her, Gaye sent her daughter to live with her uncle in the Kombos, effectively keeping her away from the practice. Concerned that relatives might secretly subject her daughter to the procedure, Gaye made the difficult decision not to allow her to return to the village until she turned 20.

Her decision, she explained, was motivated by concern that extended family members might act without her consent. In some cases, mothers have temporarily left their daughters with relatives, only to discover later that the girls had already undergone female genital mutilation (FGM).

Now in her forties, Gaye stated that in the community where she married, FGM was widely viewed as an obligation for every girl. She noted that the introduction of laws banning the practice has changed how it is carried out. In the past, the ritual was performed openly and celebrated within the community, but today it is often conducted in secret as families try to avoid legal consequences.

Gaye described how traditional gender roles influence decisions surrounding FGM. She explained that men often have the final say in family matters, including decisions about cultural traditions. In earlier years, girls who were not circumcised were sometimes mocked or excluded by their peers, which increased pressure on families to conform to the practice.

According to Gaye, this social pressure led many families to continue the practice, even when they privately questioned it. However, she believes that attitudes are slowly changing. Awareness campaigns and sensitisation programs conducted in her village and other communities have begun to reshape people's views on FGM.

She also emphasised that involving men in advocacy efforts has become increasingly important. Since men are often the heads of households and primary decision-makers, their participation can significantly impact the fight against FGM.

Ongoing Challenges in the Central River Region

The Central River Region remains a key focus in the country's efforts to eliminate FGM, particularly as authorities and activists work to enforce the national ban introduced under the Women’s (Amendment) Act of 2015. Despite the legislation, the practice is still deeply rooted in some communities due to cultural traditions and varying interpretations of religious teachings.

In August 2023, a magistrate’s court in Kuntaur convicted four women for performing FGM on eight infants aged between four months and one year. Each woman was fined GMD 15,000 or faced a one-year prison sentence if unable to pay.

Advocacy groups have strengthened community monitoring systems in the region to help identify and report cases of FGM, aiming to protect vulnerable girls.

The issue has also ignited national debate. Some political and religious leaders have called for the repeal of the anti-FGM law, arguing that it infringes on religious freedom. However, in July 2024, the National Assembly of The Gambia rejected attempts to overturn the ban, following sustained advocacy from civil society groups and international partners.

According to the Gambia Demographic and Health Survey from 2019 to 2020, awareness of the health risks associated with female genital mutilation (FGM) is increasing throughout the country. However, the practice continues to be common in several regions. For mothers like Gaye, the decision to protect their daughters has already been made, even if it means challenging deeply rooted traditions.

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