The Supreme Court of The Gambia has begun hearing a case brought by religious leaders and an MP seeking to overturn the country’s ban on female genital mutilation (FGM). The plaintiffs argue the ban violates cultural and religious rights, a move that follows a failed legislative attempt to decriminalize the practice in 2024. Rights groups warn that legalizing FGM would be a major setback for women’s rights and could encourage similar regressions globally. The case comes amid reports of infant deaths related to the practice and continued high rates of FGM in the country.
Date: January 9, 2026. Source: theguardian.com