Moldovan Government Withdraws Anti-Discrimination Bill

The Moldovan government has withdrawn an anti-discrimination bill from parliamentary consideration that would have protected the country's minorities and brought it closer to association with the European Union. More here.

Egyptian Military Representatives Meet with Pope Shenouda

Representatives of the Egyptian Armed Forces have met with Pope Shenouda III (al-Suriani) of Alexandria to assuage fears in the Coptic Orthodox Church concerning the growing influence of Islamist movements in Egyptian politics and the recent attacks on Orthodox and Muslim women who do not follow traditional Muslim dress codes. More here.

Afar Districts Oppose FGM

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.