Female genital mutilation in infancy still common, Gambian mothers say – unfpa.org

 

Report on Female Genital Mutilation in The Gambia and its Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

This report examines the persistent practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in The Gambia, analyzing its prevalence, health consequences, and the socio-legal context. The continuation of FGM presents a significant obstacle to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), most notably SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). Despite a legal ban and ongoing advocacy, the practice remains deeply entrenched, necessitating a multi-faceted approach aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Prevalence and Persistence: A Challenge to SDG 5 (Gender Equality)

Statistical Overview

Recent data indicates a lack of significant progress in reducing FGM rates among younger generations, a direct contradiction to SDG Target 5.3, which calls for the elimination of all harmful practices.

• According to 2021 data, almost three-quarters of girls aged 15 to 19 have been subjected to FGM.
• This proportion is roughly equivalent to that of women a generation older (aged 45 to 49), indicating stagnated progress.
• Surveys of mothers show that while 54% report their daughters (aged 25 and under) have not undergone FGM, 22% state their daughters experienced the procedure by their first birthday.

Systemic Gender Inequality

The practice is perpetuated by systems of gender inequality, where women are often both victims and enforcers. As stated by Fatou Baldeh, founder of Women in Liberation and Leadership, “These women are not merely perpetrators; they are products of a system that teaches from birth that pain and sacrifice are intrinsic to womanhood.” This underscores the challenge of dismantling the cultural structures that violate girls’ rights and hinder gender equality (SDG 5).

Health Consequences and Implications for SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)

Immediate and Long-Term Health Risks

FGM has severe health consequences that directly undermine SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The procedure can lead to:

1. Haemorrhage
2. Infection
3. Obstructed labour due to scar tissue
4. Death

Impact on Maternal Health

The case of Fatou, a 16-year-old who suffered a difficult, obstructed delivery due to FGM-related scar tissue, exemplifies the practice’s threat to maternal health (SDG Target 3.1). Interventions by trained midwives at facilities like Basse District Hospital, supported by UNFPA, are crucial. These programs, which train health providers to manage FGM complications, represent a direct effort to improve maternal health outcomes and advance SDG 3.

Interventions and Progress Towards Sustainable Development

Community-Led Transformation

Community-based dialogues, led by NGOs such as Tostan with support from UNFPA and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), are proving effective. Hulay Damba, a 55-year-old former practitioner, abandoned the practice after learning of its harmful effects. She now serves as a community advocate, stating, “I now use my voice to raise awareness because every girl deserves to grow up safe and whole.” This shift from practitioner to advocate demonstrates progress in changing social norms, a key component of achieving SDG 5.

Economic and Legal Frameworks

Addressing FGM requires a comprehensive approach that includes economic and legal dimensions.

• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): For practitioners like Ms. Damba, FGM provided a reliable income. Eradication efforts must consider alternative livelihood opportunities to dismantle the economic incentives that sustain the practice.
• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): While The Gambia banned FGM in 2015, a recent, though unsuccessful, attempt by lawmakers to repeal the ban highlights the fragility of legal protections. Strengthening institutions and upholding the rule of law are essential to safeguarding the rights of girls and women.

The Path Forward: Youth Advocacy and Empowerment

A New Generation for Change

A new generation is rising to challenge the practice. Ramata Baldeh, an 18-year-old survivor, has pledged to protect her future children from FGM, expressing a desire for her daughter “to go to school, to dream, to choose her path.” This sentiment reflects a growing demand for female empowerment, education, and bodily autonomy, which are central to achieving SDG 5.

Conclusion

The elimination of FGM in The Gambia is a critical prerequisite for progress across multiple SDGs. Continued action is required to dismantle the deeply rooted structures of gender inequality (SDG 5), provide comprehensive health services and education (SDG 3), strengthen legal protections (SDG 16), and empower a new generation of advocates to create a safer, more equitable future.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed in the Article

The article primarily addresses issues related to two main Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article extensively discusses the severe health consequences of female genital mutilation (FGM), such as hemorrhage, infection, death, and significant risks during childbirth. It highlights the story of Fatou, a 16-year-old who suffered from an obstructed labor due to scar tissue from FGM, which threatened her and her baby’s life. The article also mentions a UNFPA program that trains health providers to manage these health consequences, directly linking to the goal of ensuring healthy lives.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: The core issue of the article, FGM, is a form of gender-based violence and a harmful practice rooted in gender inequality. The article quotes Fatou Baldeh, who states that FGM is a “deeply violent tradition rooted in gender inequality” and that the system “teaches from birth that pain and sacrifice are intrinsic to womanhood.” The efforts to end the practice, led by former practitioners and advocates, are aimed at empowering women and girls and dismantling discriminatory social norms, which is central to SDG 5.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

Based on the article’s content, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Target 3.1: By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births. The article connects FGM directly to childbirth complications that threaten the mother’s life. It describes how Fatou’s labor was obstructed by scar tissue, posing “a threat to her life.” This illustrates how FGM is a barrier to reducing maternal mortality.
• Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes. The article mentions a UNFPA program that provides “special training enabling health providers to address the consequences of female genital mutilation, among other vital sexual and reproductive health services.” This initiative is a direct effort to improve access to specialized reproductive healthcare for women and girls affected by FGM.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation. The entire article is focused on the prevalence of FGM in The Gambia and the efforts to end it. It explicitly mentions the high rates of the practice, the legislative ban from 2015, and the community-led movements working to “end the practice.”

Indicators for Measuring Progress

The article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

Indicators for SDG 5, Target 5.3

• Indicator 5.3.2: Proportion of girls and women aged 15-49 years who have undergone female genital mutilation/cutting, by age. The article provides specific data points for this indicator, stating that “almost three quarters of girls aged 15 to 19 have been subjected to female genital mutilation, roughly the same proportion as women a generation older than them (aged 45 to 49).” It also notes that “22 per cent [of daughters] had experienced it by their first birthday,” providing a measure of the prevalence among very young girls.

Indicators for SDG 3, Targets 3.1 and 3.7

• Qualitative Indicators for Maternal Health (Target 3.1): While no specific maternal mortality ratio is given, the article provides qualitative evidence of the risks. Fatou’s story of obstructed labor due to FGM serves as an anecdotal indicator of how the practice contributes to maternal morbidity and mortality risk.
• Access to Specialized Healthcare (Target 3.7): The article implies an indicator related to the availability of trained healthcare professionals. It mentions a “growing network of health facilities that are part of a UNFPA programme… that provides special training enabling health providers to address the consequences of female genital mutilation.” The number of health workers trained and facilities equipped to handle FGM-related complications could serve as a proxy indicator for progress on this target.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

SDGs	Targets	Indicators Identified in the Article
SDG 5: Gender Equality	Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.	Indicator 5.3.2: The article provides direct statistics on the proportion of girls and women who have undergone FGM. “Almost three quarters of girls aged 15 to 19 have been subjected to female genital mutilation.” “22 per cent [of daughters] had experienced it by their first birthday.”
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	Target 3.1: By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio.	Qualitative Indicator: The article describes how FGM leads to obstructed labor, which is “a threat to her life and her baby’s,” directly linking the practice to increased maternal mortality risk.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services.	Proxy Indicator: The article points to the “growing network of health facilities” and programs providing “special training enabling health providers to address the consequences of female genital mutilation,” which can be measured to track access to specialized care.

Source: allafrica.com