Mogadishu(SONNA)-UNFPA Somalia strongly condemned the abduction and rape of the two
young girls, aged three and four as they were playing on 30 March 2020 in Afgoye town, Lower
Shebelle, Somalia. The girls have been hospitalised in critical condition.
UNFPA Somalia stands with the girls and their families and calls for recourse for proper judicial
process to take its course. We also reiterate our call for the speedy passage into law the Sexual
Offences Bill which has been pending adoption in the country’s Parliament. The law will be vital in
preventing and dealing with culprits of sexual offences.
UNFPA Somalia calls for the strengthening of protection systems as women and girls continue to be
at high risk of experiencing gender-based violence and the threat of harmful practices including
female genital mutilation and child, early and forced marriages.