In The Gambia, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) remains a deeply-entrenched practice despite being banned and widely recognized for its harmful effects on women and girls. To combat this issue, a unique sensitization campaign was launched in the Lower River, Central River, and Upper River Regions, funded by UNFPA through ChildFund and led by Think Young Women. The campaign aims to foster a shift in community attitudes toward FGM by engaging traditional communicators—key figures historically responsible for conveying important messages through songs and drama.

The project empowered traditional communicators to raise awareness about the law banning FGM, the importance of abandoning the practice, and the role of community and religious leaders in promoting change.

A core message of the campaign is that FGM is not a religious requirement and violates Gambian law. The campaign emphasizes that Islam values the sanctity of human life and does not endorse harmful practices like FGM. Armed with overwhelming scientific evidence of the harm caused by FGM, the project calls for its abandonment, urging communities not to perpetuate the practice under the guise of religion.

To ensure the message resonates, the campaign utilizes drama and songs as powerful communication tools. Traditional communicators have crafted engaging performances that highlight the dangers of FGM and the legal consequences of continuing the practice. These performances are being staged across communities in the three regions, captivating audiences and encouraging discussions on the need to end FGM.

The widespread sensitization efforts are expected to shift community perceptions and empower district and local leaders to enforce the ban on FGM. Ultimately, this initiative aims to protect women and girls from this harmful practice and position The Gambia as a beacon of hope for women’s rights, serving as a model for other countries confronting FGM.

Media contact: Malick Saine, Communications Associate (saine@unfpa.org)