The legal action comes after a tragic incident last year in which two infants died from complications related to FGM. Almameh Gibba, the MP involved in the case, previously introduced a bill to parliament seeking to decriminalize FGM, but it was rejected.

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. According to UNICEF, it is estimated that more than 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 practice, often during infancy.

Activists and human rights organizations are condemning the attempt to overturn the ban, arguing that it would have devastating consequences for Gambian women and girls. Fatou Baldeh, founder of the Gambian rights organization Women in Liberation Leadership, sees the legal challenge as part of a broader backlash against women's rights globally.

The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies FGM as a violation of human rights, citing its severe health risks, including hemorrhage, infection, chronic pain, and psychological trauma. International bodies like the United Nations have repeatedly called for the elimination of FGM worldwide.

The Gambia outlawed FGM in 2015, imposing penalties on those who perform or facilitate the practice. The current court case is expected to continue this month, with a ruling that could have significant implications for the future of women's rights in the Gambia and potentially influence similar debates in other countries where FGM remains prevalent. The outcome is being closely watched by international human rights organizations and women's rights advocates around the world.