“I Circumcised All My Daughters, But I Will Not Circumcise the Next One”

In Gunjur, West Coast Region of the Gambia, where tradition has long shaped decisions about family life, one father’s reflection is quietly challenging a deeply rooted practice.

Abass Bangura, a community leader and father of seven, says he circumcised all three of his daughters—but would not do so again.

“Many might find it ironic, but I had my children circumcised simply because I didn’t understand the harm it could cause,” he said in April 2026. “At the time, I truly believed I was honouring and preserving my cultural traditions.”

His shift reflects a broader tension in The Gambia, where Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) remains widespread despite growing awareness and legal restrictions.

According to national data, approximately 75.7% of women aged 15–49 in The Gambia have undergone FGM, placing the country among those with the highest prevalence globally. The practice was criminalised in 2015, yet enforcement challenges and strong cultural expectations have allowed it to persist—often in secrecy.

In rural areas like Kombo South, the numbers are reflected in everyday life. Agriculture-dependent and tradition-oriented communities often view FGM as a rite of passage rather than a health risk. Health experts, however, link the practice to complications such as severe bleeding, infections, childbirth complications, and long-term psychological trauma.

Bangura, who has been married for over 25 years, said his decision was not due to ignorance of the debate but rather social pressure and belief in cultural preservation.

“As my children grew, they were all circumcised—not because I was unaware of the risks, but because I thought I was protecting my culture from fading,” he explained.

His household mirrors a national reality: families navigating between tradition and changing norms. Studies show that while overall prevalence remains high, younger generations are increasingly less likely to support the continuation of FGM, signalling a slow but measurable shift in attitudes.

In Gunjur, advocacy efforts have intensified over the years. Organisations such as GAMCOTRAP have conducted sustained community outreach, engaging religious leaders, circumcisers, and families. These interventions often focus on dispelling the misconception that FGM is a religious obligation and promoting public declarations to abandon the practice—commonly known as “dropping the knife.”

However, behaviour change has been uneven.

“Many are still cutting their children, but they do it quietly in their homes,” Bangura said, pointing to the underground continuation of the practice. This aligns with reports from activists who note that criminalisation has, in some cases, pushed FGM out of public view rather than eliminating it.

Data from regional campaigns suggest that community-led declarations can significantly reduce prevalence, but only when combined with consistent enforcement of laws and sustained education. Without these, social pressure continues to drive compliance, particularly among older generations.

“All my children were circumcised between the ages of three and seven,” Bangura said. “But today, if I am blessed with another daughter, she will never be circumcised.”

His stance represents a critical inflexion point—where personal regret meets informed decision-making. Experts argue that such individual shifts, when multiplied across communities, are essential to reducing national prevalence rates.

Bangura believes stronger enforcement is also necessary.

“For this practice to end completely, authorities must intensify the law and ensure those still practising it are held accountable,” he said.

As The Gambia continues its efforts to eliminate FGM, stories like Bangura’s highlight both the scale of the challenge and the possibility of change—one family decision at a time.

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).

Author: Nelson Manneh

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