Somalia

Niqab Crackdown: What’s Behind Somalia’s Latest Action

Hundreds of Islamic face veils have been seized from female residents in a Somali city amid security fears that they can be used to conceal the identity of jihadists to carry out attacks.

Pandemic Lockdowns Lead to Rise in Female Genital Mutilation in Somaliland

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) cases are increasing in Somaliland, a de facto African state that struggles for international recognition. Pandemic lockdowns fuel the increase in FGM cases. Government officials, health workers, and advocates say FGM cases are soaring since the lockdown made girls accessible to “cutters.”