The court case resumed this month, following the deaths of two infants last year who bled to death after undergoing FGM. Almameh Gibba, the MP involved in the challenge, previously introduced a bill to decriminalize FGM, but it was defeated in parliament. Outside the parliament building in Banjul, pro-FGM protesters demonstrated in support of overturning the ban.
FGM, which involves altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons, is a deeply rooted cultural practice in many parts of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. In the Gambia, nearly 75% of women have undergone the procedure, often during infancy. The practice is internationally recognized as a violation of human rights, causing severe health problems, including infections, infertility, and complications during childbirth.
Activists and lawyers see the legal challenge as part of a global trend of eroding gender protections. Fatou Baldeh, founder of the Gambian rights organization Women in Liberation Leadership, is among those who believe the case is a setback for women's rights.
The Gambia outlawed FGM in 2015, imposing penalties for those who perform or facilitate the practice. However, enforcement has been inconsistent, and support for FGM remains strong in some communities. The supreme court's decision will have significant implications for the future of women's rights in the Gambia and could set a precedent for other countries grappling with similar issues. The court is expected to deliver its ruling in the coming weeks.
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Thousands protested in Minneapolis following a fatal ICE shooting and city-wide sweeps, highlighting growing fears within the community. Demonstrations, part of a nationwide movement, saw clashes between protestors and police, prompting calls for peace from city and state leaders amidst rising tensions over immigration enforcement.
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