judiciary system and endow with well-trained and competent judges. The role of the media is also essential and measures should be undertaken to protect its independence and strengthen its capacity through specific training programs. In parallel, the Government should take the lead in developing and implementing awareness programs targeting civil society organisations and professional associations, particularly in the regions. HIV/AIDS LXXV. Ethiopia faces an epidemic among sub-populations and geographic areas, with an estimated overall HIV prevalence rate of 1.4 percent, based on testing a sample of 5,700 men and 5,300 women aged 15 to 49 who gave their informed consent. Within the individual regions, this testing found that the prevailing rate varied from 0.2 in the SNNPR to a high of 6.0 percent in the Gambela Region. While previous estimations were higher, expansion of surveillance data and improved analyses resulted in significantly lower estimations for 2005. Gender Mainstreaming LXXVI. While gender equality is a common challenge throughout Africa, the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has made it central to its overall policy. Since 1993, Ethiopia has endeavoured to integrate every aspect of gender equality in political, economic and social development endeavours. The establishment of a Ministry for Women Affairs is a clear testimony of such political will but challenges remain in all areas. LXXVII. However, there are cultural and social obstacles inhibiting progress. Low status characterises virtually every aspect of girls’ and women’s lives. Traditionally, women in Ethiopia have been consigned to strict societal roles, essentially cooking and raising children, and they have always had a muted voice in decisions affecting them. A heavy workload imposed on girls at an early age, early and forced marriage, a subservient role to both husband and mother-in-law, harmful traditional practices (HTPs), including female genital mutilation (FGM) and milk tooth extraction, are all conniving to slow progress in gender mainstreaming. According to Ethiopia’s 2005 Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS), about 73.3 percent of Ethiopian women of all ages have been subjected to FGM. The practice is declining though as only 62.1 percent of women aged 15-19 had been cut, compared to 73 percent of those aged 20-24. There are regional variations but the eastern Somali region has the highest prevalence at 97.3 percent followed by Afar at 91 percent. Moreover, in Afar, the cut involves infibulation (or Type III FGM), the removal of the external genitalia. Aside from the immediate risks of severe blood loss, shock and infection, longer-term problems associated - 39 -