A/HRC/18/48 37. The National Union of Somali Journalists reported to the independent expert that, on 22 May, its offices were raided and robbed by four armed men, and alleged that Government forces extended no protection to Union staff and offices. The independent expert was unable to verify these claims. 38. The independent expert hopes that the Transitional Federal Government will work closely with the media in the critical context of the transition period and the constitutionmaking process. He would likewise expect the media to work professionally, with due respect for the ethics and principles governing the freedom of expression and opinion at this critical period in their country’s history. E. Women’s rights 39. Domestic violence, sexual violence and such harmful traditional practices as female genital mutilation are some of the most common violations of women’s rights reported across all areas of Somalia. 40. A number of other violations remain invisible, and discrimination in all aspects of life overlooked. Deteriorated infrastructure and health-care services have an exponential impact on women’s health, with the effect that Somalia has among the highest maternal mortality and morbidity rates in the world. Women have also lower education levels, including at primary level, face work discrimination and greater poverty, the impact of which should be carefully evaluated when considering that around 70 per cent of Somali homes have women as household head. 41. Access to justice and equality before the law remains a challenge, as exemplified in cases of sexual violence that are settled by tribal elders who disregard the opinion and will of the victim, including with forced marriages between the victim and the perpetrator. In the course of the universal periodic review, several delegations focused on the urgent need to improve the human rights situation of women and children. The Transitional Federal Government delegation committed to eradicating female genital mutilation, and it was recommended that the practice be criminalized and awareness-raising campaigns conducted. Other recommendations on women's rights concerned the urgent need to address violence against women and to include women in political life and the peace process. VI. Universal periodic review of Somalia 42. In May 2011, the Human Rights Council reviewed the report of Somalia on the human rights situation in the country.1 Somalia was represented at the session of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review by three women Ministers, one from Puntland. This, together with the fact that this was the first review of Somalia and engagement with a human rights review mechanism in two decades, drew a great deal of attention in the Council. 43. The large number of delegations participating in the review expressed general appreciation for the efforts of the Transitional Federal Government to present its report, and recognized the particular situation of Somalia. Linkages between the political and the human rights situations were highlighted, and the Government was called upon to pursue the peace process and expand its outreach across clan lines. 1 A/HRC/WG.6/11/SOM/1. 9