Giving the 2024 International Women’s Rights Award to MS FATOUH BALDEH, who fights against female genital mutilation in Gambia

Female genital mutilation violates the girl’s/ women’s health, her security and her physical integrity. It is cruel form of torture. The procedure can even result in death. Immediate health risks include: intense bleeding, shock, infections, urine retention, severe chronic pain and complications during childbirth. Psychologically, girls and women frequently face post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression.This practice can never be justified in the name of religion, custom, culture or belief. At the U.N. and elsewhere, this has been repeated, over and over again.

Gambia is among the 10 countries with the highest levels of FGM, targeting 75% of its women. In 2015, the country finally passed a law to criminalise FGM. Last August, three women became the first in Gambia to be convicted and to be fined for performing FGM. It prompted very adverse reactions at a national level. Nine years after the ban, Imam Faty, an Islamic cleric, and well-known campaigner, together with other religious clerics, have all called on the Gambian national assembly to support a Bill which seeks to REVERSE the ban. If this Bill passes, Gambia will become the first country ever to repeal the ban on FGM and to reverse its position. And to move backwards in time. There are serious concerns that this could embolden a movement across Africa of renewed support for this dangerous practice.

Through her organisation, « Women in Liberation and Leadership », Fatou Baldeh is campaigning against the Bill. She is a true hero! Meeting people like her motivate you to work in this field.