International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

A campaigner has insisted that new rules that outlaw female genital mutilation (FGM) in Somalia have to be properly enforced.

The country's provisional constitution now states the practice is prohibited, since it is comparable to torture and cruel and degrading to girls.

However, women's advocate Fatima Jibrell has warned that these words will mean little if practitioners do not end up facing the full force of the law, IRIN reports.

She stated that while she welcomes the clause in the constitution, it must be backed up by strong legal provisions, as well as awareness-raising initiatives and education.

"Without this, the provision will be little more than ink on a piece of paper," Ms Jibrell commented.

The World Health Organization has argued that FGM violates the human rights of women and girls.

Estimates from the group suggest about 92 million females aged at least ten years old have been victims of the practice.

Posted by David Smith