Political+Tensions+Somalia+and+Cape+Verde

CEDAW - Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women -international bill of rights for women -preamble and 30 articles - defines what constitutes discrimination against women and sets up an agenda for national action to end such discrimination Somalia is one of seven that hasn't signed Treaty, Cape Verde has

Somalia - political 1988 - government launches campaign to eradicate practice on health and religious grounds - dangerous to women's health and not called for in Quran Currently though, policy was never translated into law. November 1999 - Parliament of Puntland unanimously approved legislation making practice illegal, but no evidence that law is being enforced (Puntland: region in northeastern Somalia) -no national judicial system Transitional Federal Government - 2004 -new constitution, new representative government old government collapses in 1991, Somalia civil war ensues

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Somalia - social FGM - estimated 90% of women go through this Attitude: "Many Somalis mistakenly view this procedure as a religious obligation. The concept of family honor is also involved. It is carried out to ensure virginity. Because virginity of daughters and family honor are related, it

is believed that the family’s honor will also remain intact if the daughters are subjected to this procedure.

Women who have not undergone this procedure may be thought of as having loose morals. A girl who has not undergone it will result in less bridewealth for her father and brothers"