The prevalence of FGM/C in The Gambia has reduced slightly from 74.9% of women aged 15–49 in 2013 to 72.6% of the same cohort in 2019/20. There have been more substantial changes in specific regions, namely Mansankonko, Kerewan and Janjanbureh. There has also been a decrease in support for FGM/C. 65% of women aged 15–49 thought that FGM/C should continue in 2013, but in 2019/20, that figure reduced to 45.7%. Since 2023, important action has been taken on the ban of FGM/C in the country. Although the law was passed in 2015, the first convictions under the law occurred in 2023, which led to polarised views on the ban and, eventually, a bill presented in Parliament to repeal it. The bill was passed in March 2024, but later struck down and dismissed. The law continues to be upheld, but growing support for FGM/C to be allowed as a ‘cultural right’ and a desire to see the law repealed must be responded to with urgency.
