The legal challenge gained momentum after two infants in The Gambia died from complications related to FGM in the past year. Almameh Gibba, the MP involved in the case, previously introduced a bill to parliament seeking to decriminalize FGM, but it was defeated.

FGM, which involves altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons, is a deeply rooted cultural practice in many parts of the world, particularly in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. According to UNICEF, it is estimated that over 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone some form of FGM. In The Gambia, nearly 75% of women have been subjected to the procedure, often during infancy.

The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies FGM into four major types, ranging from the removal of the clitoral hood to the narrowing of the vaginal opening. The practice can lead to severe health consequences, including chronic pain, infections, complications during childbirth, and psychological trauma.

The movement to eradicate FGM has gained international momentum in recent decades. The United Nations has condemned the practice as a violation of human rights, and numerous countries have enacted laws to ban it. However, enforcement remains a challenge, particularly in communities where FGM is deeply ingrained in cultural traditions.

Fatou Baldeh, founder of the Gambian rights organization Women in Liberation Leadership, sees the current legal challenge as a setback for women's rights in the country. Activists and lawyers globally have expressed concern that the case in The Gambia is indicative of a wider trend of eroding gender protections.

The supreme court case is expected to resume this month. The outcome will have significant implications for the future of women's rights in The Gambia and could potentially embolden similar efforts to undermine anti-FGM laws in other countries. The situation is being closely monitored by international human rights organizations and women's rights advocates.