The practice of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) has been banned in Somalia under the country’s new constitution.

An estimated 96% of women in the African country undergo the practice, with up to 140 million globally living with FGM/C.

Prominent Somali women’s advocate Fatima Jibrell told African humanitarian news service IRIN: “The fact that the new provisional constitution outlaws the circumcision of girls is a welcome development, but this will require education, awareness-raising and strong legal provisions.”

Photo: Clitoraid Leaders from Burkina Faso, Bane and Abi, who actively promote awareness raising against FGM in Africa.

Clitoraid is pleased to see the authorities in Côte d'Ivoire stand against female genital mutilation by sentencing 9 women circumcisers and their accomplices in Katiola (CI ) on July 20th, 2012, for their criminal sexual practices on about thirty girls during a ceremony.

"Many women hope that this sentence will be followed by many others to dissuade circumcisers and irresponsible parents from committing those horrendous crimes," said Abi Sanon, coordinator of Clitoraid in Africa.

These sentences are necessary steps towards the eradication of those crimes as are prevention, protection of victims and surgical repair.

By Mari, Clitoraid coordinator in Italia
This month, Italy and Africa united to create a special event to promote Clitoraid. We showed videos with the latest news about the hospital and latest updates. The public was very supportive and many purchased the special "clito-boxes" we created for the occasion. The boxes contain small gifts that people receive after giving a donation to Clitoraid. The evening was a great success, full of fun and great joy as we danced and sang to African music!

Thanks to everyone's generosity we collected 450 euro :-)

By Jina, coordinator of Clitoraid in Asia

"On 23rd of June, 12 Clitoraid volunteers had Clitoraid campaign in World book exibition place, Coex. 5 of them wear African style and gave Clitoraid leaflets (with candy attached) to guide people participate money for FGM Surgery in Africa."