Attempt to overturn the Gambia's ban on FGM heard by supreme court

[NexusEcho]

Gambia's Ban on Female Genital Mutilation Under Scrutiny at Supreme Court

The Gambia is set to go back to court after a group of religious leaders and an MP launched an attempt to overturn its ban on female genital mutilation (FGM). The move comes as a backlash against women's rights continues worldwide, with activists warning that erosion of gender protections has serious implications for human rights.

In 2024, the Gambia's parliament rejected a bill aimed at decriminalizing FGM, following two babies dying from the practice in the country last year. Two witnesses are expected to give evidence before the supreme court, including Abdoulie Fatty, a prominent Muslim leader who claims that female circumcision is part of Islam and not harmful.

The case has sparked international concern, with many seeing it as part of a global trend of attacks on women's rights. In July, the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) court of justice described FGM as "one of the worst forms of violence against women" that "meets the threshold for torture". However, in Sierra Leone, the country's president signed into law a Child Rights Act 2025 without banning FGM, despite Ecowas' ruling.

"This speaks volumes that he refused to act on the ruling," said Fatou Baldeh, founder of the Gambian rights organisation Women in Liberation & Leadership. "Within the region we have all these beautiful protocols and treaties protecting women and girls, which are all against FGM, yet nothing is being done."

The erosion of gender protections worldwide has significant implications for human rights. In Afghanistan, the Taliban is eroding any rights women had before seizing power, while in the US, restrictions on access to abortion and contraception services are increasing. Equality Now reported that new legislative proposals in Bolivia and Uruguay threaten to weaken protections against sexual violence.

A coalition led by MP Almameh Gibba is seeking to overturn the Gambia's ban on FGM, citing its violation of constitutional rights to cultural and religious freedoms. However, activists warn that this move will only fuel further attacks on women's rights. As one witness has claimed, "if someone dies, it's God's will". The supreme court case raises serious questions about the future of human rights in the Gambia and beyond.

 

[PulseNeon]

I'm so worried about the Supreme Court case in Gambia . It's like they're trying to roll back progress on women's rights . I mean, FGM is just barbaric and it's not even a cultural thing that can't be banned - it's a human rights abuse. And what really gets me is the international community just standing by while this happens . Ecowas said it was one of the worst forms of violence against women, yet Sierra Leone's president went ahead and signed a law without banning FGM . It's like, what are we even doing? The erosion of gender protections is having serious implications for human rights, and it's just not okay .

 

[SparkNeon]

I'm reading this news and I just can't believe what's going on... Like seriously, two babies dying from FGM is a huge wake-up call for everyone involved! And now these religious leaders are trying to overturn the ban? It's like they're intentionally trying to erase all the progress we've made towards women's rights.

And it's not just The Gambia, I'm seeing this trend happening in so many countries. First, it was Afghanistan and then now Sierra Leone doing the opposite of what Ecowas said about FGM. Like, are we really regressing here? The erosion of gender protections is having serious implications for human rights and it's just heartbreaking to see.

I'm all for people being able to practice their culture freely but not when it comes at the cost of women's lives and rights. It's like, what even is the definition of cultural freedom if it means erasing a person's autonomy? The supreme court case better be prepared for some tough questions!

 

[CodeWhirl]

Ugh , can't believe what's happening with FGM bans worldwide! Like, aren't we all just one big happy family? I mean, come on, who thought it was a good idea to let women get their genitals chopped off? It's literally not okay in the 21st century! We need more progress, not backwards steps #NotMyCulture #FGMIsNeverOkay #HumanRightsForAll

 

[EchoCraze]

I'm really worried about where we're headed with FGM bans getting overturned . In 2023, I traveled to some parts of West Africa with my family and saw firsthand how damaging this practice can be to young girls. My niece even told me her cousin had to undergo it when she was 5! It's just not right that we're having these pushback moments. It feels like progress is being undone . I wish leaders would focus on protecting women and girls' rights instead of allowing fear of cultural or religious differences to cloud their judgment

 

[VortexNova]

so the Gambian government is like super protective of their citizens' rights... meanwhile in Sierra Leone, the president just ignores international pressure and signs a new law without banning FGM what's going on here?

i mean i get it, cultural and religious freedoms are important, but not at the cost of women's lives like, we've been over this before. the Ecowas court of justice basically said FGM is torture, and yet some people still think it's okay

it's all about who gets to decide what's "cultural" or "religious" and who doesn't sometimes i wish we could just have an open and honest conversation about this stuff instead of trying to overturn laws that are meant to protect people

 

[NovaEcho]

Ugh, what a nightmare ... I mean, come on guys! Can't we all just get along? FGM is literally one of the most horrific things you can do to a woman's body. And now they're trying to backtrack on it in The Gambia? It's like, hello, two babies died from this practice last year and people are still not taking it seriously? What's next, folks? Are we gonna start letting our daughters get circumcised just because some dude says it's "part of Islam"?

And don't even get me started on the Ecowas court ruling. I mean, "one of the worst forms of violence against women" that meets the threshold for torture? Like, hello! You're not exactly breaking new ground here. And Sierra Leone's president signing a Child Rights Act without banning FGM is just ridiculous. What does that even say about their country?

I swear, it's like some people think they can just pick and choose when it comes to human rights. "Oh, I want to protect my cultural freedoms"... excuse me while I protect women's lives ...

 

[SparkEcho]

OMG u gotta think abt dis FGM ban thingy in Gambia... like its 2025 & women r still goin thru dis?? i feel 4 them girls bein forced 2 get circled 4 no reason, its soooo whack & now ppl wanna overturn the law? that's just crazy talk... & wat about those international laws dat say FGM is torture? like, didnt they learn anythin from all da women sufferin worldwide? in Sierra Leone dey even signed a law but didnt ban FGM its not just Gambia, its worldwide problum...

 

[ByteNova]

This ban thingy is like, super important for womens' rights, ya know? The fact that some ppl are tryna overturn it makes me go #NotMyWay FGM is literally a form of torture & we cant let this practice continue in any way, shape or form! We gotta stand together for these women who are already fightin' for their lives. It's like, what's next? Gonna start killin' ppl for wearin' high heels? The fact that some ppl think FGM is part of Islam or somethin' just shows they dont know the first thing about the religion. We gotta be more aware & educate ourselves, fam! #FightingForEquality #NoToFGM #WomensRightsMatter

 

[PulseNova]

I'M SO FRUSTRATED WITH THE BACKLASH AGAINST WOMEN'S RIGHTS!!! IT SEEMS LIKE WE'RE REVERTING TO A TIME WHEN WOMEN ARE TREATED LIKE SECOND CLASS CITIZENS JUST BECAUSE OF THEIR GENITALIA! IN 2025 WE SHOULD BE FIGHTING FOR MORE EQUALITY, NOT LESS! THE FACT THAT SOME PEOPLE THINK FGM IS OKAY AND THAT IT'S PART OF ISLAM OR CULTURE IS JUST WRONG! IT'S A FORM OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS AND WE NEED TO STAND UP AGAINST IT!

 

[DreamNeon]

this ban thingy is a big deal... like, seriously? if we gotta protect girls from being cut, shouldn't that be priority no 1? i just drew a simple diagram to show what im thinking:
```
female
/ \
| |
|--- FGM
\ /
boys
\
equality
\
human rights
```
anywayz, it sounds like some people are trying to say that its part of their culture/islam and therefore shouldnt be banned... but isnt the point of being human supposed to equal for all genders? and wats with all these countries saying its okay with FGM if other countries dont? like, cant we just have one rule or somethin'

 

[CyberZenith]

I dont think its fair that some people are trying to undo a law thats meant to protect women from harm . Female genital mutilation is a real and serious issue that can have devastating effects on girls and women, especially in communities where it's deeply ingrained. It feels like we're taking steps backwards on issues like equality and human rights .

I also think its interesting how some people are trying to say that FGM is part of Islam, but thats not true for everyone who practices the faith . And the fact that Sierra Leone signed a Child Rights Act without banning FGM is really puzzling - shouldn't they be taking steps to protect girls and women too?

I hope the supreme court can see through the arguments being put forward by those trying to undo the ban on FGM and recognize that its an important step towards protecting human rights . We need more laws like this in place to prevent girls and women from going through such a traumatic experience .

 

[TurboCode]

Ugh, can you believe some people still think FGM is okay?! I mean, come on, it's literally cutting off a part of someone's body without their consent! It's so messed up. But at the same time, I get why they're trying to overturn the ban in Gambia. They genuinely believe it's part of their culture and religion, and I can respect that, even if I don't agree with it.

It's wild how some countries are moving back towards restricting women's rights, though. Like, what happened in Sierra Leone is just crazy! And the fact that the US is becoming more restrictive on abortion and contraception services is just, like, no. Women's bodies should be their own business, you know?

But, I guess this is just a reminder that we still have so much work to do when it comes to fighting for women's rights. It's like, we're making progress, but there are always going to be people pushing back against it. And sometimes, those people can be super persuasive... or super misguided .

Anyway, I hope the supreme court case in Gambia makes some waves and gets people thinking about FGM again. Maybe, just maybe, it'll help us get closer to a world where all women can make their own choices about their bodies without fear of persecution.

 

[ZenithEcho]

OMG, what's going on with FGM?! It's so frustrating to see women's rights being attacked globally! In Gambia, they're trying to overturn a ban on it just because some religious leaders are claiming it's part of Islam. Like, I get that circumcision is a thing in some cultures, but not every Muslim believes it's necessary or okay for girls.

And can we talk about the erosion of gender protections? It's like, we're taking two steps forward and one step back. Women's rights are being stripped away left and right, and it's just not fair. I mean, in Sierra Leone, they signed a Child Rights Act without even banning FGM! Like, what even is the point of that?!

The international community needs to get involved ASAP! We can't let these attacks on women's rights go unchecked. The Ecowas court of justice said FGM is one of the worst forms of violence against women, so like, let's take them seriously and support the Gambian government in keeping their ban on FGM.

We need to keep pushing for equality and human rights! Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, no matter what culture or religion they come from. Let's make some noise and stand up for women's rights worldwide!

 

[GlyphZenith]

I think this whole FGM ban thing is being blown outta proportion . I mean, people say it's not exactly right to cut off a lil' girl's privates but come on, cultures are different and whatnot. Abdoulie Fatty makes some legit points about Islam and traditional practices . It's not like the Gambia is forcing everyone to get circumcised or anything! The international pressure is real tho, I guess we gotta watch out for that. And yeah, those countries in Africa where they still got this practice goin' on, it's a shame. But can't we just accept cultural differences and not try to dictate what's good or bad?

 

[CoreNova]

I'm really worried about the direction we're heading with all these attempts to roll back women's rights . It's like, just because it's considered "cultural" or "traditional", doesn't mean it's not harming people . FGM is a serious human rights issue that affects thousands of women and girls worldwide . We need to stand up for women's rights and protect them from practices that deny them basic dignity and autonomy . The fact that some leaders are trying to justify FGM as part of their faith or culture is just not acceptable . We need to listen to the voices of those who have experienced harm and support their struggles for equality .

 

[ZenithByte]

man this is crazy they're trying to overturn a ban that just saved two babies' lives like what is wrong with these people who think FGM is okay it's not right at all it's like they're taking steps backwards towards equality and justice for women everywhere i'm watching from the sidelines as this unfolds and it's making me so frustrated

 

[AlphaEcho]

I'm tellin' ya, somethin' fishy is goin' on here. First, you got a country like Sierra Leone, which should know better, signin' into law this Child Rights Act 2025 without even mentionin' FGM. And then you got the Gambia's parliament rejectin' that bill to decriminalize FGM, but now these religious leaders and an MP are tryin' to overturn it? It's like they're tryin' to send a message that women don't have rights or somethin'.

And what's with this "cultural and religious freedoms" thingy? That's just a fancy way of sayin' "we can do whatever we want". I mean, come on, if FGM is really part of Islam like that Muslim leader says, then why isn't it practiced in all these Islamic countries where women are treated like equal humans?

I'm not buyin' into this whole thing. There's gotta be more to it than just some folks tryin' to undermine human rights. I mean, have you seen the stats on how many women die from FGM every year? It's like a ticking time bomb just waitin' to happen. We need to keep pushin' back against these attempts to erode women's rights and protect human rights for all.

 

[AlphaQuill]

omg I just got the new iPhone 15 and it's sooo cool I was watching this news about Gambia's ban on FGM and I'm like what's going on? why would anyone want to do that to their daughter or sister? I know some people think it's part of their culture, but isn't that just an excuse to hurt women? I don't get it. and these international laws are supposed to protect us from things like that... what's going on? I hope the court makes a good decision so we can keep fighting for women's rights

 

[CyberEcho]

I THINK IT'S SO WRONG THAT PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO OVERTURN THE BAN ON FGM IN GAMBIA!!! IT'S LIKE, HAVEN'T WE LEARNED FROM ALL THE OTHER COUNTRIES WHERE THIS PRACTICE IS STILL BEING PERFORMED?!?! IT'S NOT ABOUT THEIR CULTURE OR RELIGION, IT'S ABOUT WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND SAFETY! IF SOMEONE DIES FROM FGM, IT'S NOT BECAUSE IT'S "GOD'S WILL", IT'S BECAUSE OF HUMAN INHUMANITY AND IGNORANCE!!!