Gambian police have charged three women in connection with the death of a one-month-old baby girl who was subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM), despite the practice being outlawed since 2015. One suspect, facing a possible life sentence, has been remanded in custody, while two alleged accomplices have been released on bail.

The case has ignited national outrage, with the Gambia’s National Human Rights Commission calling it a wake-up call. The commission stressed that FGM is not a cultural practice but a criminal offence, a violation of human rights, and—in this case—a deadly act.

Although banned under the Women’s (Amendment) Act, FGM remains widespread in The Gambia. In 2024, lawmakers rejected a controversial bill that would have made it the first country in the world to reverse a national ban on the practice.