Breaking the Silence
Synopsis:
In The Gambia, where tradition and culture hold deep roots, Halima TC, a young journalist and student, embarks on a courageous mission to end female genital mutilation (FGM) within a generation. As a survivor of the practice, she refuses to remain silent, using her voice to challenge an age-old custom that has harmed countless women, including her sister, friends, and many others in her community.
From speaking on national radio stations to engaging college students—especially men who often know little about the practice—Halima is determined to spark change. She documents the physical and emotional toll of FGM through interviews with survivors, midwives, religious scholars, and even the traditional cutters themselves. As she confronts her own past trauma, she seeks answers from the woman who cut her as a child.
Her fight gains momentum when the President of The Gambia officially bans FGM, marking a historic turning point. However, Halima knows that legal changes alone are not enough—she must continue mobilizing grassroots movements, educating the youth, and challenging long-held misconceptions.
As the resistance against FGM grows, Halima faces personal and societal obstacles, but her resilience and unyielding spirit fuel a nationwide movement. With her powerful storytelling, activism, and newfound role as her college’s student president, she aims to ensure that no future generation will have to endure the pain she and so many others have suffered.