Gambia's parliament rejected Monday a bill that would have lifed a ban on female genital mutilation or FGM.
Lawmakers voted down all the clauses in the proposed law, Parliament Speaker Fabakary Tombong Jatta said.
For the first time in the West African nation, the bill against the ban sparked a public debate about FGM a custom dividing villages, families and parliament.
Almaneh Gibba, the lawmaker who submitted the bill to Gambia's parliament, said he was upholding cultural and religious prerogatives in the Muslim-majority country where FGM is widespread and deeply rooted.
Many Islamic scholars dispute his arguments.
The World Health Organization says FGM has no health benefits and can lead to excessive bleeding, shock, psychological problems and even death.
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