The Gambian supreme court is set to hear a case aimed at overturning the country's ban on female genital mutilation (FGM), following a wave of backlash against efforts to eradicate the practice. A coalition led by MP Almameh Gibba, who had previously tabled a bill to decriminalize FGM, has launched a legal challenge arguing that the law violates Gambians' constitutional rights to cultural and religious freedoms.
The move comes after two babies died last year due to complications from FGM in the country. Fatou Baldeh, founder of the Gambia-based women's rights organization Women in Liberation & Leadership, described FGM as "a strong manifestation of violence against women that harms their physical and psychological health."
The case has sparked concerns about a global regression on women's rights, with many experts citing similar trends in other countries. In Sierra Leone, for example, the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) court of justice recently described FGM as "one of the worst forms of violence against women" – a ruling that was not followed by action from the country's president.
The case is part of a growing trend of attacks on women's rights worldwide. In Afghanistan, the Taliban has rolled back any rights women had before the militant group seized power. In the US, there are increasing restrictions on access to abortion and contraception services. And in Iran, women are key targets of the regime.
As Lamin J Darboe, a lawyer representing the plaintiffs, prepares to take the case to court, he is also vying for political office – a bid that has raised questions about his motives. The stakes are high, with thousands of Gambian girls and women continuing to undergo FGM every year – a practice that can have devastating long-term health consequences.
The supreme court's decision will be closely watched globally as the fight against FGM continues. But for many, it may be too little, too late – and a stark reminder that progress on women's rights is fragile and under constant threat.
The move comes after two babies died last year due to complications from FGM in the country. Fatou Baldeh, founder of the Gambia-based women's rights organization Women in Liberation & Leadership, described FGM as "a strong manifestation of violence against women that harms their physical and psychological health."
The case has sparked concerns about a global regression on women's rights, with many experts citing similar trends in other countries. In Sierra Leone, for example, the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) court of justice recently described FGM as "one of the worst forms of violence against women" – a ruling that was not followed by action from the country's president.
The case is part of a growing trend of attacks on women's rights worldwide. In Afghanistan, the Taliban has rolled back any rights women had before the militant group seized power. In the US, there are increasing restrictions on access to abortion and contraception services. And in Iran, women are key targets of the regime.
As Lamin J Darboe, a lawyer representing the plaintiffs, prepares to take the case to court, he is also vying for political office – a bid that has raised questions about his motives. The stakes are high, with thousands of Gambian girls and women continuing to undergo FGM every year – a practice that can have devastating long-term health consequences.
The supreme court's decision will be closely watched globally as the fight against FGM continues. But for many, it may be too little, too late – and a stark reminder that progress on women's rights is fragile and under constant threat.
I'm still stuck on this... isn't it kinda weird that we're even debating whether or not to allow FGM? Like, aren't we living in the 21st century now? 
And what's with the "cultural and religious freedoms" argument? Isn't that just a fancy way of saying "we don't want to rock the boat"? 
I mean, I get that there are some communities where FGM has been practiced for generations, but does that really give anyone the right to inflict harm on their own daughters? 
And what about all those cases where women and girls are dying from complications? Doesn't that count as a human rights violation? 
I guess we'll just have to wait and see how this case plays out...
i mean i get it, cultural freedom and all that but not at the expense of a lil girl's life 
2 babies died last year due to complications from fgm and now they wanna roll back progress? 
thousands of women still go thru this every year and it's like we're making no progress whatsoever 
i'm all for cultural preservation but not if it means harming ppl 
. I mean, come on, female genital mutilation (FGM) is basically like cutting off your own kids' limbs without anesthesia... it's just not right 
. And to think that some people are actually trying to roll back progress on women's rights globally? It's like we're taking two steps forward and three steps back 
.
. Maybe he can be the one to bring about some much-needed progress and protection for Gambian girls and women 
. We need more people like him who are willing to speak out against injustice 
.
. It's like, we've made progress in eradicating this practice, but now some folks are trying to go back to the dark ages? Not cool, not cool at all 
. I'm literally living for the supreme court's decision, but also kinda fearful of it, you know? Will they actually make a change or just play it safe? Fingers crossed for all those Gambian girls and women who are still going through this 
#JusticeForFGMVictims #EqualityNow
. What's next, are we gonna start erasing our progress on climate change too?! 
is soooo not cool 
are doing amazing work 
to raise awareness & fight against this practice. It's a global problem 
, and if the court decides to uphold the law 
not less 
is trying hard 
or maybe we should just b honest w/ ourselves & say that FGM is a straight up human rights violation? 
This is getting really concerning... I mean, I knew there were still places where FGM was practiced, but to see it happening in countries like the Gambia again makes me want to scream 
. I mean, come on, a coalition is fighting against the law because it hurts girls and women. It's not about cultural or religious freedom, it's about basic human rights 
. It's like, we're supposed to be living in a world where women are equal and have the right to make their own choices about their bodies, but it feels like we're taking two steps back 
. We need to come together as a global community and support each other in this fight against oppression 
. This is not a case that can be swept under the rug or ignored; it needs attention and action ASAP 
Is he really fightin' for women's rights or is he just tryna get ahead in politics? Either way, I hope the supreme court sees through all that and makes a decision that benefits everyone, not just the politicians. 
