Somalia's prime minister has publicly backed the campaign to ban FGM in his country.
Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke has joined more than a million others by signing an online petition calling for a comprehensive ban.
Somali anti-FGM campaigner Ifrah Ahmed, a friend of mine and former Desert Flower Foundation team-member, told the BBC that she had persuaded Mr Sharmarke to sign the petition organised by online campaign group Avaaz.
She said that it was a significant move as many people in Somalia do not openly speak about the issue.
Well done, Ifrah!
Congratulations to my sister!
