Somalia Cabinet Approves Bill Prohibiting Female Genital Mutilation(FGM) – Horn Observer

Somalia Advances on Sustainable Development Goals with Approval of Anti-FGM Legislation

Introduction and Background

The Somali cabinet has unanimously approved the Bill on the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), a legislative action aimed at criminalizing a traditional practice with severe health and human rights implications. The practice, which is not a religious requirement, is deeply entrenched in cultural norms and misconceptions. This bill represents a significant step toward safeguarding the rights and well-being of women and girls in the nation, directly aligning with global development objectives.

Legislative Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The approval of this bill is a landmark achievement that directly contributes to several key Sustainable Development Goals. By legally prohibiting FGM, Somalia is building a framework to address critical challenges in health, gender equality, and justice.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality: The legislation is a direct response to Target 5.3, which calls for the elimination of all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation. Criminalizing FGM is a fundamental step in ending gender-based violence and protecting the bodily autonomy and human rights of women and girls.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The bill supports Target 3.7, which aims to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services. Prohibiting FGM is crucial for preventing severe and lifelong physical and psychological health consequences, thereby promoting the overall well-being of a significant portion of the population.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: This legislative milestone strengthens the rule of law and promotes the development of effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions, as outlined in SDG 16. It establishes a legal mechanism to protect a vulnerable group and ensures justice for victims, reinforcing the state’s commitment to upholding human rights.

Statistical Context and Contributing Factors

The urgency of this legislation is underscored by the widespread prevalence of FGM in Somalia and globally. Addressing the root causes is essential for the successful implementation of the new law and for achieving related SDG targets.

1. National Prevalence: According to the United Nations Population Fund, an estimated 98% of women and girls in Somalia between the ages of 15 and 49 have undergone some form of FGM.
2. Global Scale: The practice is a global human rights violation, affecting over 230 million women and girls worldwide.
3. Underlying Drivers: The perpetuation of FGM is driven by a combination of factors, including:
   • Deep-seated cultural and social norms.
   • Misconceptions linking the practice to religious requirements.
   • Fear of social ostracism for uncircumcised girls.
   • Limited awareness of its severe health dangers and human rights implications.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The article on Somalia’s bill to prohibit Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) directly addresses and connects to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

   • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

     The prohibition of FGM is fundamentally a public health issue. The article describes FGM as a “harmful practice” and notes the bill is a “significant victory for health… advocates.” By criminalizing FGM, the government aims to prevent the severe physical and psychological health consequences associated with the procedure, thereby promoting the health and well-being of women and girls.

   • SDG 5: Gender Equality

     This is the most central SDG related to the article. FGM is a form of gender-based violence and a violation of human rights. The article states the bill is “designed to safeguard the rights of women and girls” and refers to FGM as a “human rights violation.” The effort to eliminate FGM is a direct action towards achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.

   • SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

     The article’s focus is on a legislative action: the “Somali cabinet on Thursday approved the Bill on the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation.” This represents a strengthening of the legal and institutional framework to protect citizens. By creating a law to criminalize a harmful practice, Somalia is promoting the rule of law and working to ensure access to justice for victims, which are core components of SDG 16.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Based on the article’s content, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

   • Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.

     This target is explicitly and directly addressed. The entire article is about the Somali cabinet approving a “Bill on the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM),” which is a direct legislative attempt to achieve this target.

   • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.

     FGM is a form of violence and abuse perpetrated against girls, who are children. The bill to “criminalize the practice” is a direct measure aimed at ending this specific form of violence against children, aligning perfectly with the goal of this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   Yes, the article mentions both a quantitative and a qualitative indicator for measuring progress.

   • Indicator 5.3.2: Proportion of girls and women aged 15-49 years who have undergone female genital mutilation/cutting.

     The article provides precise data for this indicator, which serves as a baseline for measuring future progress. It states, “In Somalia, 98 per cent of women and girls, aged 15-49, have undergone some form of FGM, according to the United Nations Population Fund.” The success of the new bill would be measured by a reduction in this percentage over time.

   • Implied Indicator: Presence of a legal framework to prohibit FGM.

     The central news of the article, the approval of the “Bill on the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation,” serves as a crucial progress indicator for targets 5.3 and 16.2. The existence and enforcement of such legislation are key measures of a country’s commitment and institutional capacity to protect women and children from harmful practices and violence.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators
   SDG 5: Gender Equality	Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.	Indicator 5.3.2: The article explicitly states the prevalence rate: “In Somalia, 98 per cent of women and girls, aged 15-49, have undergone some form of FGM.”
   SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.	Implied Indicator: The existence of a legal framework. The article’s main point is the approval of the “Bill on the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation,” which establishes this framework.
   SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	(Related) The elimination of a harmful practice with severe health consequences contributes to ensuring healthy lives.	The reduction in the prevalence of FGM (Indicator 5.3.2) would also serve as an indirect indicator of improved health outcomes for women and girls.

Source: hornobserver.com