GENOCIDE  WATCH

The Gambia continues to face serious challenges in healthcare and women’s rights. Maternal and child mortality have declined but remain high, while limited healthcare funding, staff shortages, and poor rural access continue to affect outcomes. Female genital mutilation (FGM) remains widespread despite a 2015 legal ban, with survey data showing that most girls who undergo the practice do so before age nine. The Supreme Court is reviewing a challenge to the ban amid calls from some religious and cultural groups for repeal, while human-rights organizations oppose decriminalization. The report also highlights that marital rape is not criminalized and that constitutional provisions allow discrimination in areas such as marriage, divorce, and inheritance. Genocide Watch therefore identifies continuing discrimination against women and possible growing polarization, recommending stronger enforcement of the FGM ban, criminalization of marital rape, community education and economic-support programs, and continued international assistance and monitoring.