P. A. Chacko
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a horrendous and inhuman practice of human rights violations, affecting over 230 million girls and women worldwide.
FGM is said to be the practice of intentionally cutting or damaging or mutilating the female genital organs or, may be, female circumcision.
It is done for reasons that are rooted in misogyny, superstition, downgrading and degrading of women, cultural and weird religious practices and myths.
An estimated 4 million girls are being subjected to FGM every year. Surprisingly, it is practiced in 30 countries in western, eastern, and north-eastern Africa, in parts of the Middle East and Asia, and within some immigrant communities in Europe, Italy, North America and Australia. In South Asia and Russia, it is said, specific minority communities are targeted.
The largest share of the global burden is reported amongst countries in Africa. In Africa alone, over 144 million cases are reported. It is followed by Asia with 80 million cases, and the Middle East with 6 million cases.
More than 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone female genital mutilation. Reports say that this year, nearly 4.4 million girls will be at risk of this harmful practice. This equates to more than 12,000 cases every day.
“FGM can cause serious health problems such as infection, infertility, complications during childbirth and even death, as well as long-term emotional and psychological trauma, leaving the victims physically and mentally scarred for the rest of their lives.”
A recent report by Higher Health Institute (ISS) reveals that there are 80 thousand cases in Italy, including 7 thousand minors and women who have undergone genital mutilation.
Message from the UN Secretary General:
“Female genital mutilation is a horrific act of gender-based violence. More than 230 million girls and women alive today are survivors of this abhorrent practice. As one of the most brutal manifestations of gender inequality, female genital mutilation inflicts profound, lifelong physical and mental harm, carries life-threatening health risks, and violates the rights of women and girls to bodily autonomy, safety, and dignity.”