Female Genital Mutilation; Help and Advice
Female Genital Mutilation is the ritual removal of some or all of the external female genitalia. It is estimated that worldwide 200 million women have undergone FGM, mostly in Africa.
Though most girls are cut before the age of five, it may be done anytime from a few days after birth , up to puberty and beyond.
The extend of the damage caused by these practices differs from partial or total removal of the clitoris (Type I), to removal of the inner labia (Type II or excision) to removal of both inner and outer labia and closure of the vulva, known as infibulation of pharaonic type FMG (Type III)
In the last case only a small opening is left to pass urine and menstrual flow. The vagina later will have to be opened for intercourse, and further again for childbirth.
Risks and complications increase with the type of mutilation. Physical consequences are numerous; fatal bleeding, recurrent infections, difficult urination, chronic pain, development of fistulae, infertility and complications during childbirth.
In the Gambia it is estimated that 76.3% of the women and girls have undergone FGM. Prevalence rates vary between different ethnic groups: Serahule (up to 98%), Diola (87%), Serer (43%) and Wolof (12%).
FMG is more common in rural area’s then it is in urban area’s. Th majority of FGM in the Gambia are Type I, 26% are Type II and 8% Type III.
For more information WHO FGM Factsheet
Female genital mutilation (FGM), sometimes known as ‘female circumcision’ or ‘female genital cutting’, is illegal in The Gambia
It’s also illegal to take abroad a Gambian national or permanent resident for FGM, or to help someone trying to do this
You can get up to 14 years in prison for carrying out FGM or helping it to take place.
If there’s immediate danger
Contact the police if you or someone you know is in immediate danger of FGM.
If you’re abroad you can contact your nearest embassy or consulate
If you or someone you know is at risk
In the UK:
NSPCC FGM Helpline
Email: fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk
Telephone: 0800 028 3550
From overseas: +44 (0)800 028 3550
Find out about call charges
You can get help and advice in the UK from:
In England you can find NHS specialist clinics for FGM.