Two districts in Ethiopia's Afar Region have committed to prohibiting female genital mutilation (FGM) or circumcision. In both districts elected and customary leaders together with many of the circumcisers committed to abandoning the practice.
The Afars are Muslim, but FGM is widespread throughout the Horn of Africa amongst both Muslims and Orthodox Christians. Some see it as a counterpart to male circumcision, which is also universally practiced amongst Muslims and Ethiopian Orthodox, while others think it keeps women (who are considered to be inherently sexually promiscuous) from cheating on their husbands.
More on the recent abandonment drives in the Afar Region can be found here.
Musings from the Fourth Rome: A Source for Orthodox Christian News and Events
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