Gambian Parliament Upholds Ban on Female Genital Mutilation

Lawmakers reject bill seeking to reverse 2015 ban, marking a significant win for women's rights activists.

The proposed bill to overturn the ban on female genital mutilation (FGM) was defeated in its third reading.
The 2015 ban on FGM includes penalties of up to three years in prison and life sentences if the procedure results in death.
Rights groups and the UN had urged lawmakers to maintain the ban, citing severe health risks and human rights violations.
Despite the ban, enforcement has been weak, with only a few prosecutions since its implementation.
Activists call for more public education and stronger enforcement to eradicate the practice.