Gambia Parliament Upholds Ban on Female Genital Mutilation

Gambia's parliament rejected a bill seeking to overturn the ban on female genital mutilation (FGM) after lawmakers voted against all its clauses, halting its progress towards a final reading. The ban was introduced in 2015 with fines and jail terms, aiming to protect women's rights and health. Despite efforts by religious groups to repeal the ban, it remains in place, making Gambia a crucial example in the global fight against FGM. International activists and organizations, including Amnesty International, have praised this decision as a significant victory against a harmful practice deeply rooted in tradition and health risks.