A One-Month-Old Baby Girl In Gambia Died After Undergoing FGM, Sparking Widespread Outrage

FGM is a procedure that involves removing all or parts of the female genitalia for non-medical reasons.

gambia fgm baby die outrage

A one-month-old baby girl in Gambia died after undergoing female genital mutilation, or FGM, sparking widespread outrage.

gambia fgm baby die outrage
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FGM is a procedure that involves removing all or parts of the female genitalia for non-medical reasons.

gambia fgm baby die outrage
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The procedure is dangerous and has no health benefits, with some girls bleeding to death or dying from infections.

gambia fgm baby die outrage
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It can cause lifelong painful conditions such as problems urinating, cysts, infections and fatal childbirth complications, according to the United Nations.

gambia fgm baby die outrage
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The baby reportedly bled heavily after the procedure and was rushed to hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

gambia fgm baby die outrage
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Authorities have charged two women in connection with the baby’s death, according to the BBC.

gambia fgm baby die outrage
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This is the first time people have been charged for performing FGM in Gambia, which has been banned in the country since 2015, with prison terms of up to three years.

gambia fgm baby die outrage
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Despite the ban, UNICEF says 76% of Gambian women between 15 and 49 have undergone FGM, and 3 out of 4 girls experience it before the age of 6.

gambia fgm baby die outrage
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