and has been distributed to regional states and federal sub cities.79 The government has arranged experience-sharing programs, under which for examples, the Somali region has been able to take lessons from the experiences of the Afar region which has a good record in combating female genital mutilation. A series of training workshops and awareness creation activities has been held in communities in which female genital mutilation is more prevalent together with judicial bodies (Public Prosecutors, Police and Judges).80 A number of TV and radio programs have been broadcasted on the psychological, social and physical effects of female genital mutilation. Public discussions and the media have played an important role in combating harmful traditional practices in general and female genital mutilation in particular. A national campaign on harmful traditional practices on International FGM Day and on Children‟s Day has also helped the effort.81 Early Marriage There are interventions by the government to protect the rights of women by implementing laws concerning a minimum marital age. The government has taken measures to enforce laws on minimum marriageable age, on forced and arranged marriages. The Federal Revised Family Code stipulates marriageable age to be 1882 and the regional states uniformly enacted family laws to give the same age limit with the exception of the Somali and Afar Regional States. It should be noted, however, that the Revised Criminal Code provides 3-7 years of imprisonment for those found engaging in such practice.83A National Committee on Elimination of Harmful Traditional Practices has been established and is implementing a national action plan to eliminate forced marriage, arranged marriage and early marriage. A project to benefit 200,000 children and adults and to eliminate early marriage is under implementation in the Amhara Regional State where early marriage is most prevalent.84Awareness creation activities on actions to benefit and promote the welfare of women and children are being undertaken. TV and radio programs on the negative effects of early and forced marriage are broadcast regularly. Ministry of Women, Children and Youth Report p13 of Women, Children and Youth Report P 14 81 Ministry of Women, Children and Youth Report p 14. 82 The Federal Family code, 2000 Article 7(1) 83 Ministry of Women, Children and Youth Report p 20 84 Ministry of Women, Children and Youth Report p 14 79 80Ministry 101