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Somalia's Prime Minister backs campaign to ban FGM | Somalia's Prime Minister backs campaign to ban FGM |
(35 minutes later) | |
The Prime Minister of Somalia has signed a petition to ban female genital mutilation (FGM) in the country. | The Prime Minister of Somalia has signed a petition to ban female genital mutilation (FGM) in the country. |
The Avaaz campaign has been spearheaded by 26-year-old Ifrah Ahmed, a Somali anti-FGM campaigner, who hopes Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke's support will bring the issue to the attention of the federal government. | |
Although FGM is against the constitution, there is no legislation which bans it. | |
The Prime Minister is one of nearly 1.3 million people worldwide to back the campaign to eradicate the procedure in Somalia. | The Prime Minister is one of nearly 1.3 million people worldwide to back the campaign to eradicate the procedure in Somalia. |
The petition, which is addressed to Somali President Hassan Mohamud, the Prime Minister and Minister of Women Zahra Samantar, reads: “If Somalia enacts a full ban law now, and follows with massive public education campaigns, it could become the champion to lead the world to zero tolerance.” | The petition, which is addressed to Somali President Hassan Mohamud, the Prime Minister and Minister of Women Zahra Samantar, reads: “If Somalia enacts a full ban law now, and follows with massive public education campaigns, it could become the champion to lead the world to zero tolerance.” |
FGM is considered a social ritual which is entrenched in Somali culture. It is defined as any procedure which involves altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons, according to the United Nations. | FGM is considered a social ritual which is entrenched in Somali culture. It is defined as any procedure which involves altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons, according to the United Nations. |
Unicef says the prevalence of FGM in Somalia is about 95 per cent and that it is primarily performed on girls aged between four and 11. | Unicef says the prevalence of FGM in Somalia is about 95 per cent and that it is primarily performed on girls aged between four and 11. |
Ms Ahmed told The Independent she wanted the government of Somalia to recognise FGM as "a human rights violation". | Ms Ahmed told The Independent she wanted the government of Somalia to recognise FGM as "a human rights violation". |
And receiving support from the Prime Minister was a huge advantage for the campaign. | And receiving support from the Prime Minister was a huge advantage for the campaign. |
"We can't do anything without leadership [from the] government. We are looking for ways to protect young women from FGM." | "We can't do anything without leadership [from the] government. We are looking for ways to protect young women from FGM." |
But she admitted, there were still barriers to completely eradicating the practice and that more education was needed. | But she admitted, there were still barriers to completely eradicating the practice and that more education was needed. |
"It's a cultural practice, something that has been happening for 500 years. It's not easy to eradicate it without education and willingness [from the community]." | "It's a cultural practice, something that has been happening for 500 years. It's not easy to eradicate it without education and willingness [from the community]." |
Ms Ahmed said the bill would be discussed in the Somali parliament at the end of April. She will travel from Dublin, where she is currently living, to lobby the government. | Ms Ahmed said the bill would be discussed in the Somali parliament at the end of April. She will travel from Dublin, where she is currently living, to lobby the government. |
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