By Sainabou Sambou
On a rain-soaked Friday evening at the Westfield Monument in Kanifing, civil society organizations, UNICEF, and community partners gathered in a powerful show of solidarity against female genital mutilation (FGM) and gender-based violence (GBV). The event was sparked by the tragic death of a one-year-old girl, Sarjo Conteh, whose loss has reignited calls for the Gambian government to enforce its 2015 ban on FGM rigorously.
Ndey S. Bakurin, Executive Director of The Association of Non-Governmental Organizations in The Gambia (TANGO), addressed the crowd, emphasizing collective action to end harmful practices. “There was an incident that happened to a one-year-old baby who could not make decisions on her own behalf, and decisions were made by other people,” Bakurin said. “It is unfortunate, but we are here to show solidarity and unity against FGM and also gender-based violence.”
Bakurin underscored the broader implications of the tragedy, calling for the protection of girls, women, and vulnerable groups. “We have to protect our girls, our babies, and we women also need to be protected, and of course, by extension, young boys and elderly people,” she said. “It’s important to speak with one voice. It’s important to defend everybody’s right. We have a right to decide what we will do with our bodies.”
The gathering followed a series of consultations led by TANGO, which has mobilized civil society organizations to respond to the incident. Nfamara Jawneh, Executive Director of Beakanyang, praised TANGO’s leadership and described the baby’s death as a wake-up call for Gambians. “This is the call again to the government to reaffirm their commitment that they will not tolerate this status to continue in this country,” Jawneh said. He urged law enforcement to implement the FGM ban to the letter, stressing that no girl should endure such a harmful practice.
UNICEF Country Representative Nafisa Binte Shafique highlighted the significance of the turnout despite the heavy rain. “See, it’s heavily raining, and yet a group of us are here. That only shows how committed we are to this call,” she said, paying tribute to the late Sarjo Conteh. “May the little innocent soul rest in peace. May she become the power for all of us.”
Shafique noted that while similar cases often go unnoticed, the swift response to this tragedy—from the police, the medical team at Bundung Maternity and Children’s Hospital, the Ministry of Health, and the Cabinet—set it apart. She outlined a four-pronged approach to combat FGM: empowering girls and women to make their own decisions, engaging men and boys to dismantle patriarchal systems, mobilizing stakeholders like teachers and religious leaders, and strengthening systemic responses across health, child protection, and judicial systems.
“This loss of life should not be in vain,” Shafique emphasized. “The law was amended in 2015. We are almost 10 years on, and we are still talking about the same stories—that needs to change.” She reaffirmed the commitment of UNICEF, UNFPA, and other UN agencies to eliminate FGM in The Gambia.
TANGO Chairperson Yadicon Njie Eribo called the incident a “stark reminder of the grave consequences of gender-based violence and harmful practices such as FGM.” She pointed to a troubling rise in GBV cases in recent weeks and urged national authorities to act decisively. “No child, no woman, no member of our community should ever endure such pain,” Eribo said. “Justice must not only be served but be seen to be served.”
Eribo called on the judiciary and relevant authorities to apply the full extent of the law in cases of FGM and GBV, emphasizing that impunity must end. “As civil society, we reaffirm our commitment to advocacy, awareness, and action,” she said. “But real change requires a system that stands firm against impunity.”
The gathering concluded with a message of hope and determination. “Together, we can build a future where the rights and dignity of all are respected and upheld,” Eribo said, as attendees stood united under the rain, resolute in their fight for justice and change.
The tragic loss of Sarjo Conteh has galvanized civil society and stakeholders, amplifying calls for systemic reform and stricter enforcement of laws to protect women and girls in The Gambia.
