Mogadishu, (SONNA) — The Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development of the Federal Government of Somalia held an event in Mogadishu on 6 February to mark the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
The ceremony was attended by representatives from UNICEF and UNFPA, members of parliament from the Family and Human Rights Committee, officials from the Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development, and representatives of organisations working to end FGM in Somalia.
Speaking at the event, the Director General of the Ministry, Mohamed Bashir Omar, outlined recent steps taken by the ministry to combat FGM, including progress towards the adoption of draft legislation aimed at criminalising female genital mutilation.
Representatives of international organisations who addressed the gathering praised the Ministry’s efforts to prevent violence against women and girls, noting that FGM remains one of the most serious forms of abuse. They reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation with the Somali government in efforts to eradicate the practice.
Closing the event, the State Minister for Family and Human Rights Development, Mohamed Osman Nastaro, reiterated the government’s commitment to ending FGM and highlighted recent measures taken by the ministry to strengthen prevention, protection and legal accountability.
