When a Girl Dies, Silence Is Not Neutral
We stand in solidarity with survivors, frontline advocates, and communities in The Gambia working tirelessly to protect girls and end FGM.
Statement by the Global Platform for Action to End FGM/C
On Thursday, 7th May 2026, a High Court in The Gambia acquitted and discharged three women accused in connection with subjecting an infant to female genital mutilation (FGM), resulting in her death.
We extend our deepest condolences to the child’s family and acknowledge the grief, anger, pain, and concern this outcome has caused across survivor communities, frontline activists, women’s rights organisations, and all those working to end violence against girls.
A baby is dead! That reality must never be obscured by legal technicalities, political discomfort, or public silence.
At this moment, it is important to state clearly:
FGM is violence against girls.
FGM is a violation of bodily autonomy, dignity, health and fundamental human rights.
In its most severe forms, FGM can result in lifelong trauma, severe health complications, and death. We must not allow the seriousness of this violence to be minimised, normalised, or reframed in ways that obscure the harm experienced by girls.
The legal ban on FGM in The Gambia remains in place. This acquittal does not change that legal reality; it also doesn’t legitimise the harmful practice in any form. While the Court found that there was clear evidence that FGM had taken place, and caused the death of the baby, it ruled that the police brought insufficient evidence to prove that the cutter and her accomplices were the ones who carried out this act of violence. The Judge, in fact, sharply criticised the investigative process, noting failures by police and medico-legal officers, failure to follow basic procedural rules, and “investigative lapses” which resulted in the lack of evidence thatcould be accepted by the Court. This demonstrates that the acquittal was caused by weak and inadequate investigation by law enforcement authorities. Thus, this case highlights the urgent need to strengthen safeguarding systems, investigative processes, survivor-centred justice mechanisms, institutional accountability, and community-based protection structures capable of responding effectively to violence against children.
Ending FGM requires more than legislation alone. It requires a sustained, multisectoral approach grounded in political will, long-term investment, survivor leadership, community engagement, education, healthcare responses, accountability systems, and coordinated action across governments, donors, civil society, and international institutions.
This moment also reminds us of the importance of solidarity across the global movement to end FGM. Survivors and frontline advocates should not be left carrying the emotional and political burden of these conversations alone. Institutions, governments, media platforms, and organisations working in this space have a responsibility to speak clearly, act responsibly, and stand publicly in support of the rights, safety, and dignity of girls. Silence creates space for gender- based violence to persist!
Across Africa and globally, survivors, youth activists, women-led organisations, healthcare workers, faith leaders, and community advocates continue to work tirelessly to end FGM. Their leadership, courage, and commitment remain essential to achieving lasting change.
The Global Platform for Action to End FGM/C remains committed to supporting African-led and survivor-led efforts to end FGM, strengthen prevention and protection systems for girls, and advance collective accountability and promote justice grounded in dignity, safety, and human rights.
We call upon the Government of The Gambia to:
- Reaffirm its commitment to the legal prohibition of FGM without ambiguity.
- Urgently invest in robust safeguarding and investigative systems to improve the collection, preservation, and presentation of evidence in FGM cases
- Operationalise effective accountability mechanisms for all forms of gender-based violence against girls, including FGM
- Strengthen prevention and early detection systems through community education and effective child protection mechanisms, such as social worker trainings to identify risks early and protect girls from FGM before harm occurs.
We further call upon governments, donors, institutions, and all members of the international community to reaffirm their commitment to ending FGM and ensuring that violence against girls is never ignored, excused, or diminished or treated as culturally untouchable.
The life, safety, dignity, and bodily autonomy of every girl must remain non-negotiable; they are rights to be protected!
