MOGADISHU — The Federal Government of Somalia’s Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development organized a high-level event in Mogadishu on February 6 to observe the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
The gathering brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from UNICEF and UNFPA, members of parliament from the Family and Human Rights Committee, and civil society organizations dedicated to ending the practice in Somalia.
Push for Legal Framework
During the event, Ministry Director General Mohamed Bashir Omar presented recent initiatives aimed at combating FGM. He highlighted the government’s progress toward adopting robust legislation that would formally criminalize the practice nationwide.
International partners commended the Ministry’s work in preventing violence against women and girls, emphasizing that FGM constitutes one of the most severe forms of abuse. They expressed continued commitment to collaborating with the Somali government to eliminate the practice.
Government Commitment
State Minister for Family and Human Rights Development, Mohamed Osman Nastaro, concluded the event by reaffirming the government’s dedication to the cause. He outlined recent measures designed to enhance prevention, protection, and legal accountability for perpetrators.
The observance underscores the ongoing struggle to eradicate FGM in Somalia, which has one of the highest prevalence rates in the world, despite sustained advocacy and religious campaigns against it.
