PasserBy Posted January 17, 2011 Jijjiga, January 17 (WIC) – The Ministry of Women, Children and Youth has called on senior officials of the Somali State to make paramount efforts to prevent the prevailing female genital mutilation (FGM) and other harmful traditional practices (HTPs). Women, Children and Youth Minister, Zenebu Tadesse, on Saturday held discussion with the Somali State officials on ways to eliminate FGM and HTPs in the state. Zenebu on the occasion urged officials of the state to play the leading role in the endeavor to get rid of HTPs by raising awareness of the public and penalizing the practitioners. In addition to their health, social, economic and psychological problems, the prevailing female genital mutilation and other harmful traditional practices are currently claiming the lives of several women, Zenebu indicated. She said positive progresses have been made towards combating FGM and HTPs in some areas but a lot is expected from stakeholders to eliminate these practices. She further called on officials of the state to go all-out for the success of the development package being implemented in the state with a view to improving the livelihoods of women pastoralists and semi pastoralists. Senior officials of the state who took part at the discussion on their part pledged to ban harmful traditional practices and ensure the development participations and benefits of women. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
