The House of Representatives has Passed the First Reading of the Bill to Prohibit Female Genital Mutilation

Mogadishu, Somalia – 17 October 2026 – Members of the House of the People of the Federal Parliament of Somalia held their 25th meeting of the 8th session at the House of the People headquarters, with the meeting chaired by the Speaker of the House of the People, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur (Jama), accompanied by the Second Deputy Speaker of the House, Abdullahi Omar Abshir.

Initially, the members conducted the first reading of the draft law on the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation, which was prepared by the Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development. The report of the first reading of this draft law was shared with the House by the Minister of the Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development, Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi.

Additionally, the members of the House of the People conducted the first reading of the United Nations Agreement against the illicit trade of narcotic drugs and those affecting the mental health system.

On another note, the members were provided with the report of the third reading of the draft law amending the Central Bank of Somalia Law, Law No. 130 issued in April 2012, and the report of the third reading of the agreements between Somalia and Turkey regarding international cooperation in the judiciary.

Finally, the Speaker of the House of the People, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur (Jama), who closed the meeting, stated that the draft law on the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation and the United Nations Agreement against the illicit trade of narcotic drugs and those affecting the mental health system had passed the first reading stage.

The Chairman has instructed the Secretary-General of the House of the People to forward the draft law and agreement to the relevant committees, so they can prepare for the second reading, and then return it to the House.