Gambian Lawmakers to Vote on Bill to Repeal FGM Ban

FILE - Women shop at a street market in Banjul, Gambia, Dec. 3, 2021. The country may soon reverse its ban on female genital mutilation, a practice that has been on the rise worldwide in recent years despite moves to outlaw it.

A Monday vote could make Gambia the first country to repeal its ban on female genital cutting. Also referred to as female genital mutilation, or FGM, the procedure includes the partial or full removal of external genitalia. The practice has been on the rise worldwide in recent years despite moves to outlaw it.