Dublin, March 08, 2007 – Irish aid workers are pioneering a new programme to combat female genital mutilation (FGM) in Somalia.

Marking International Women’s Day, World Vision Ireland revealed that 98% of girls in the Gabiley District of Somaliland undergo the horrific procedure.

Through an Irish Aid jointly-funded project, the organization plans to benefit almost 30,000 women by improving advocacy on the rights of children, increasing community awareness of the arguments against FGM and encouraging behavioral change.

Almost half of those affected are aged less than 14 years.

“Female genital mutilation is an act of extreme violence against young girls, which violates their decency, dignity and privacy and which impacts enormously on their health, personal development and education,” said Helen Keogh, chief executive of World Vision Ireland.

Circumcision is believed to increase girls’ chances of marriage because it preserves their much-valued virginity.

The organization said that out of 284 people questioned on the practice, nearly 65% believed it should continue.

“World Vision Ireland is a leading international development and humanitarian relief agency committed to combating injustices against the girl child,” continued Ms Keogh.

“Through our pilot programme in Somaliland we are working with the local community to help understand the motivations behind this practice and implement actions to end this violation of human rights.”

Associations worldwide are today highlighting women’s rights and issues at home and in the workplace.

The Pensions Board called on all women to take action to secure their financial futures, while the Congress and Siptu trade unions launched Postcards of Pioneers, a pack of 12 postcards depicting some of the female pioneers of the labor and trade-union movement.

“In the last 15 years, we have seen a doubling in the number of women at work, yet women remain over-represented in low-paid, part-time and atypical employment,” said Sally Anne Kinahan, Congress Assistant General Secretary.

“In addition, the gender pay gap persists, with women typically earning 86% of men’s average hourly earnings. This increases by up to 2% when pensions and other benefits are included."

Ms Kinahan said poor public-service provisions, particularly childcare, have also impacted most heavily on women.

“ Ireland has one of the lowest levels of publicly-funded childcare and the most expensive private childcare,” she said. “We are also one of the few EU members that does not provide paid parental leave, making it a privilege rather than a right.

“As child-caring and rearing responsibilities most often fall on women, these major gaps in service provision frequently result in women being forced to sacrifice career for family,” she added.

Source: Ireland On-Line (IOL)