New York Times: A Step Forward on FGM
Lindsay Crouse, staff editor at New York Times

“…Somalia’s prime minister, Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, has taken the remarkable step of signing onto a petition endorsed by more than 1.3 million people that calls on his own government to fully ban [female genital mutilation (FGM)]. His attention is important because UNICEF estimates that almost all … of girls and women in Somalia between 15 and 49 are subjected to some form of the practice. … The bill’s supporters aim for legislation to be passed in the Somali parliament next month. … Of course, as we’ve seen, legislation can only do so much. … But political recognition of the problem is an important step, particularly for an issue that rarely engages public attention at all, let alone consequential political support. … Prime Minister Sharmarke is rightfully joining the international outcry” (4/13).