Nigeria: Legislature set to ban female genital mutilation

The bill, which is currently being considered by the Senate, was unanimously passed by Nigeria's lower house, the House of Representatives last year. The senate is expected to conclude its deliberations on the bill in May, after which it will be sent to President Olusegun Obasanjo for his assent. The first clause of the Circumcision of Girls and Women (Prohibition) Bill says "No person shall circumcise a girl or woman and no person shall abet or aid the circumcision of any girl or woman."