Somalia is prosecuting female genital mutilation (FGM) for the first time in the nation’s history

Somalia has one of the highest rates of FGM in the world, with 98% of all Somali women and girls subjected to the practice. In Somalia, FGM has yet to be banned, but the public and high-profile pursuit of justice following the recent death of a child marks an important step toward ending the dangerous tradition. Somalia's deputy prime minister declared this "an historic moment for ending FGM in Somalia.

This cannot be happening in our country in the 21st century. It is not part of our religion, and it will not be part of our culture." This February, UNICEF estimated that at least 200 million women and girls alive today have undergone FGM.

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