Government mulling law on female genital mutilation

Every 10 seconds a young girl somewhere in the world becomes the victim of female genital mutilation, a macabre tradition widely practised in parts of Africa.

In the EU, 500,000 girls are affected or threatened by FGM, and in Malta the government is considering a law to specifically ban this practice.

In an attempt to raise awareness, Pink has tracked down UN special ambassador Waris Dirie, a former supermodel and James Bond girl who is fighting to eradicate female circumcision.

In Malta, the police have never received any reports of FGM, however, doctors who deal with the immigrant population on the island have come across such cases, mostly among young Ethiopian and Somali women in their 20s.

The article in the upcoming issue, which comes out with The Times tomorrow, includes an interview with a consultant gynaecologist at St Luke's Hospital who has personally come across three women from eastern Africa who have been circumcised.

Ms Dirie's mission is to eradicate this brutal form of mutilation across the world and she is piling pressure on the EU to classify FGM as a crime, because immigrants who have settled in Europe continue to practise the tradition.

Since International Women's Day is celebrated on March 8, Pink this month features a number of articles on gender equality, as well as a quiz that tests your knowledge on the impact of inequality around the globe.

Many women feel there's no longer the need to celebrate International Women's Day but, despite the achievements in the area of women's rights and gender equality, there are still persisting inequalities and gaps, even in Malta.

In InFocus, Pink sheds light on the EU's achievements for women and questions whether it can set the example for women in international politics.

In LifeStyle, it throws a spotlight on Malta's low rate of women working in Europe and goes on a quest to find out if positive gender discrimination could go some way to address this situation or if it was merely an oxymoron.

Other interesting stories pack the 29th issue of Pink, including a travel piece on the idyllic world of the Regaleali wine estate in the heart of Sicily, and an interview with Bolshoi ballerina Anna Antonicheva.

The monthly fashion section is packed with the latest trends and accessories to add a touch of spring to your wardrobe.

This issue also contains the usual fix of beauty, health, fitness and food, as well as prizes to be won for those who write in with their feedback on the magazine and articles that have touched them.

Pink is published by Allied Newspapers Ltd, printed by Progress Press Ltd and produced by Mediamaker. It is edited by The Times' journalists Fiona Galea Debono and Ariadne Massa and designed by Helen Cassar Torreggiani and Joseph Schembri.