A surge in Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is feared in The Gambia as COVID-19 disrupts learning and programmes that help protect girls from this harmful practice, UNICEF and UNPFA warn ahead of a high-level event to commemorate International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM on Tuesday.
The event, to be graced by the Vice President Her Excellency Dr Isatou Touray and other stakeholders, is being jointly organized by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, UNFPA and UNICEF to galvanize national efforts and strengthen partnerships to eliminate FGM in the country.
Over the years, The Gambia has registered remarkable progress in eliminating FGM. Between 2010 and 2018, FGM among children 0-4 years old has dropped by 10 per cent to 27 per cent, the two UN agencies said in a statement on Monday.
Huge gains have also been made in changing perceptions with 49 per cent of women now openly saying FGM should stop, they said.
“Evidently, our collective work has translated into great progress in eliminating this human rights abuse”, said Kunle Adeniyi, UNFPA The Gambia Representative, according to the agencies.
“But while we take pride in our achievements, we must be more resolute to protect every girl and woman from FGM, including the 27 per cent of young girls who continue to undergo the practice,” Adeniyi added, according to the statement.
Even before COVID-19, reports of a widespread practice of FGM in The Gambia were rife, despite its criminalization, the agencies said. The outbreak of the COVID-19 Pandemic has made the Sustainable Development Goals target of ending FGM by 2030 an even more ambitious commitment, the agencies said.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted critical programmes and shuttered schools, leaving many girls vulnerable and at increased risk of FGM,” said Gordon Jonathan Lewis, UNICEF The Gambia Representative, according to the statement.
“That is why we insist that schools must remain open at the slightest opportunity and that all measures must be taken to support programmes that help protect girls,” Lewis added according to the statement.
