Somaliland Demands Zero Tolerance for FGM: No Sunna, No Medicalization

We, women’s rights organizations in Somaliland, strongly condemn the continued practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), which affects 99 percent of women and girls in the country. We recognize that this harmful practice constitutes a grave violation of human rights, bodily integrity, dignity, and the right to health, and we demand that it end immediately. We call for a ZERO-TOLERANCE APPROACH to FGM in Somaliland: no Sunna, no medicalization, and no cultural or religious exemptions. We note that despite years of advocacy, awareness-raising, and the existence of a Draft National Policy on the Elimination of FGM, Somaliland still lacks a comprehensive and enforceable anti-FGM law. We see that this legislative gap allows harmful practices to persist with impunity and has nurtured narratives that portray so-called “Sunna” as acceptable. We affirm that all forms of FGM are harmful, discriminatory, and violations of fundamental rights. We are deeply concerned over religious interpretations and fatwas that condone Sunna FGM. We recognize that such positions undermine constitutional principles, endanger girls’ health and lives, and contradict regional and international human rights standards. We affirm that there is no medical, legal, religious, or human rights justification for any form of FGM/C. We call on the Parliament of Somaliland to urgently enact a progressive anti-FGM law that: Criminalizes all forms of FGM, including Sunna and medicalized procedures, without exception; Aligns fully with Somaliland’s obligations under international and regional human rights frameworks, including CEDAW, the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the Maputo Protocol, and SDG 5.3; Eliminates legal and policy ambiguities that allow religious or cultural justifications for FGM/C; Establishes clear penalties, enforcement mechanisms, and accountability measures for perpetrators, accomplices, and health professionals involved in medicalization; Ensures survivor-centered protection, including access to justice, healthcare, psychosocial support, and protection from retaliation; Guarantees meaningful engagement of women’s rights organizations, survivors, and marginalized communities in the development, implementation, and monitoring of anti-FGM/C legislation. We also call on the Government of Somaliland, particularly the Ministry of Employment, Social Affairs and Family; Ministry of Justice; Ministry of Religious Affairs; and Ministry of Health, to align ongoing anti-FGM initiatives with parliamentary efforts, ensuring a coordinated, unified, and effective approach to eliminating FGM/C. We affirm that FGM/C is not a religious obligation. It is not a cultural necessity. It is Violence against Women and Girls. We reaffirm our collective commitment to advocate, mobilize, and hold duty-bearers accountable until Somaliland adopts a clear, enforceable, zero-tolerance law that protects every girl and woman from FGM/C. Signed, Women’s Rights Organizations in Somaliland Alkownin Voluntary Women Organization Disability People’s Organization (DPA) Nafis Network Nagaad Network Somaliland Family Health Association (SOFHA) Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) Somaliland Women Lawyers Association (SWLA) Somaliland Women Research Action Group (SOWRAG) Voice of Somaliland Women Minority Organization (VOSOMWO) Women Inter-Active Group (WIAG) Women Human Rights Education and Environmental Association (WHEEA) Women Rehabilitation and Development Association (WORDA) #ZeroToleranceFGM | #NoSunnaNoFGM | #EndFGMNow | #GirlsRightsAreHumanRights