In communities across The Gambia, the movement to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is gaining strength through laws, policies, and the courageous voices of girls and women who are speaking out.

To celebrate Zero Tolerance Day for FGM, UNFPA in The Gambia—in partnership with Women in Liberation and Leadership (WILL) and the Catalan Agency for Development Cooperation—held a grassroots community engagement in Foni. This event created a vital space for honest, intergenerational dialogue, bringing together girls, women, men, and community leaders to reflect on the harmful practice and reaffirm their collective responsibility to protect girls’ rights.

 Empowered Voices on the Frontline

At the heart of the event was a powerful panel discussion led by girls from UNFPA-supported WILL safe spaces. Speaking with confidence and clarity, the young leaders challenged long-held norms and called for an end to the practice.

Biliqis Keita, a member of the WILL safe spaces, delivered a firm message:

“FGM is a violation of our rights. We are not pleading anymore—it needs to stop.”

Nyimasata Jobarteh also joined the panel to advocate for change. As a member of the safe spaces, she is among the many girls receiving information on their rights and leadership skills to challenge harmful traditions within their communities.

These safe spaces are proving essential in providing girls with the confidence to lead conversations that directly affect their health and futures.

The Role of Education and Community

For Penda Bah, a Women’s Rights Activist from Sintet, the path forward is clear: education is the most critical tool for sustainable change.

“Education and awareness are key to ending FGM”

“When communities understand the harm it causes, change becomes possible,”Bah noted.

The dialogue underscored a growing recognition that FGM causes lasting harm and that legislation banning the practice is essential to safeguarding the health, dignity, and rights of girls.

A Shared Responsibility

By deliberately engaging men and elders alongside young girls, the community dialogue reinforced that ending FGM is a shared responsibility. The exchange highlighted how community-led conversations, grounded in lived experience and supported by evidence, can drive lasting social shifts.

As The Gambia continues its journey toward zero tolerance, the voices heard in Foni serve as a powerful reminder: when girls are given safe spaces and trusted platforms, they do not remain silent—they become the leaders of change.