Three women have been sentenced to a fine of 15,000 dalasis each for practicing female circumcision also called female genital mutilation (FGM) in Bakadigi Mandinka, in Central River Region North.

The convicted women are Mba Yassin Fatty, the circumciser, and Nano Jawla and Kadijatou Jallow, mothers of the circumcised girls.

Anti-FGM campaigners have welcomed the conviction. 

A statement from civil society group Gamcotrap said: “Ruling of the circumciser in Central River Region Mba Yassin Fatty who was caught circumcising eight children within the ages of 4 months to 1 year in the village of Bakadigi Mandinka, in CRR North of Niani District of the Gambia, has been found guilty with two of the mothers whose children were circumcised.

“The mothers are Nano Jawla and Kadijatou Jallow. The accused were found guilty and fined fifteen thousand dalasis each and in default will serve one year in person. The alleged person Mba Yassin Fatty is fined with count 2 of fifteen thousand dalasis and in default will serve one year in person.”

The Gambia banned female circumcision in 2015 with harsh punishment placed on its practitioners including a fine or imprisonment.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba