I was recently in Aswan to meet with the local government, partner NGOs, and people working together to fight against female genital mutilation (FGM), a widely-spread practice in Egypt that predates both Christianity and Islam and was criminalized by Egyptian law in 2008.
What a refreshing experience! The commitment and dedication I found are not only commendable but quite encouraging: Whole communities are taking a firm stance against a traditional practice that has no religious, medical or moral basis, as declared by both Al Azhar and the Coptic Church.
In the village of Nagaa El Haggar, community leaders, local associations, women, men, and children gathered to watch a series of plays performed by young actors, intended to raise awareness and engage people in FGM-related discussions. What ensued was remarkable: women describing the dramatic impact on their physical and mental health, men talking openly about the damage caused in their marital relations, and girls referring to it as ‘worst day in my life’.
Since 2005, the Governorate of Aswan has taken a firm stance in combatting FGM. To date, ten villages have declared their opposition to this harmful practice and are continuing to advocate for its end. A community association member stated, “Cutting demeans, dehumanizes and injures; it is a human rights violation that must be fought until it disappears.”
Nevertheless, changing traditions is an uphill journey that requires a long term approach. According to the 2014 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), 92 percent of ever-married women between 15 and 49 years have been circumcised. But there is hope as people’s changing attitudes have begun to show results. The percentage of circumcised girls between 15 and 17 years has dropped from 74 percent in 2008 to 61 percent in 2014. Out of the 92 percent of circumcised mothers, only 35 percent intend to circumcise their daughters.
The criminal conviction of the doctor involved in the death of 13-year old Soheir El Batea earlier this year shows that the state is mobilizing itself to tackle this problem. And the development of the National Strategy to Combat FGM, to be launched shortly, shows the Government’s commitment to fight FGM as a matter of national priority, recognizing the negative effects of this practice on society and people.
What should be the next steps? The DHS shows that 82% percent of circumcisions are performed by medical personnel, in violation of Egyptian law. This points out the important role that the Doctors’ Syndicate and the Ministry of Health need to play in putting an end to this practice among health professionals.
UNDP in Egypt has been supporting the Government in combatting FGM since 2003, but the milestones achieved so far need to be scaled up to the entire country, as intended in the new National Strategy.
June 14th marks the Egypt’s National Anti-FGM Day in commemoration of 12-year old Bodour Shaker, who died as a victim of this procedure. I would like to invite all people to honor the memory of Bodour and all the victims of this cruel practice by taking a stance and joining in the effort to eradicate FGM in Egypt.
Contributed by Ignacio Artaza, Country Director, UNDP in Egypt