Equalities Secretary Angela Constance has urged the UK Government not to kick the issue of violence against women "into the long grass", as she led a debate on female genital mutilation (FGM) at Holyrood.
MSPs discussed action being taken to stop the practice and other forms of so-called honour-based violence ahead of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM on Monday.
SNP MP Eilidh Whiteford has published a private member's Bill calling on the UK Government to ratify the Istanbul Convention on violence against women.
Ms Constance noted the Bill had gained the support of the Government at Westminster at the end of last year.
The Istanbul Convention puts obligations on the state to prevent violence against women, protect women and prosecute the perpetrators.
"Although the UK signed the Convention nearly five years ago, as we all know it has yet to be ratified," Ms Constance said.
"I hope that by supporting Dr Whiteford's Bill the UK Government are signalling now momentum for ratification."
She added that it is important UK ministers do not "yet again kick this important issue into the long grass".
Ms Constance also acknowledged "the good work" the UK Government has done on tackling FGM.
Conservative MSP Annie Wells said the UK has been a key international player.
"The Department for International Development has allocated £184 million to a number of programmes tackling gender violence issues such as FGM, forced marriages and female infanticide," she said.
"It has allocated £35 million specifically to reduce FGM by 35% in the 17 countries in Africa."
But she added that FGM is also an issue in the UK, with an estimated 170,000 women and girls having undergone the procedure.
Labour's Mary Fee said faith leaders also have a role to play in changing cultural attitudes.
"All women and girls in communities the length and breadth of Scotland must feel safe, respected and equal, and it is the duty of this Parliament to make that ambition a priority," she added.
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