Somalia announces first ever prosecution against FGM in historic move

All the people involved in the death of a 10-year old girl who underwent female genital mutilation (FGM) in Somalia will face prosecution as the government seeks to fight against the age-old tradition.

This would be the first-ever prosecution of FGM in the country.

Deeqa Dahir Nuur makes part of the 98 per cent of women and girls who have undergone FGM in Somalia.  She is also part of those who have died after the procedure.

Nuur underwent the procedure on July 14, and a cut in one of her veins caused her to bleed.  Unable to stem the bleeding, the family took the girl to Dhusmareb hospital, where she bled to death.

Somalia’s attorney general Ahmed Ali Dahir sent a team of 10 investigators to Nuur’s parents and the village cutter.

He made the comments at a media training session in the capital city, stating that the government is ready to go to court.

His announcement was backed by Deputy prime minister Mahdi Mohamed Gulaid who termed the announcement, “really a defining moment for Somalia.”

“It is not acceptable that in the 21st century FGM is continuing in Somalia. It should not be part of our culture. It is definitely not part of the Islamic religion. The prosecution of those involved in [Nuur’s death] will send a strong message to the country,” he said.

Rights groups welcoming the surprising news in a country with the highest FGM rates in the world. Many of them have lauded the political will from the current government to address the issue. Previous campaigns to eliminate it have been unsuccessful.