Lawmakers in the Gambia, on Monday rejected government’s proposal to lift a ban on skin-lightening products, citing health or religious reasons.

Yahya Jammeh, who ruled the tiny West African state for 22 years, banned the practice of skin-bleaching in 1996.

He however, fled The Gambia in 2017 after losing the presidential elections to Adama Barrow.

Barrow’s government sought to lift the skin-bleaching ban last year, arguing that it discriminated against women.

Justice Minister Dawda Jallow saw it as an unfair punishment criminalising people for using cosmetic products.

In defending their stance, a Member of Parliament, Momodou Camara told the Assembly that: “The chemicals used in the production of skin-bleaching creams are hazardous to human health,”

23 MPs voted to uphold the ban, with 10 voting to repeal it. Other MPs were either not present in the chamber, or abstained from voting.