Egypt 
Egyptians mobilise against female genital mutilation

afrol News, 27 January - Still, an estimated 97 percent of Egyptian women have undergone the harmful practice of female genital mutilation ("circumcision"), which was banned by the Minister of Health in 1996. Egyptian and international institutions are now mobilising to reduce its spread.

Egypt's National Council for Childhood and Motherhood (NCCM) and the UN development agency UNDP today announced they were spearheading a coalition of national and international organisations in Egypt in a campaign to stop the practice "that blights the lives of millions of women." 

Female genital mutilation (FGM), sometimes known as female circumcision is still widespread in areas of Africa and the Middle East, including Egypt. Surveys have found that 97 per cent of Egyptian women have undergone the practice. A 1997 survey of Egyptian adolescents found that 86 percent of girls between the ages of 13 and 19 had undergone FGM, indicating that stopping it is a time-consuming effort.

- The three-year US$ 2.6 million initiative seeks to end FGM in 60 villages in six governorates in Upper Egypt, UNDP reports from Egypt. The campaign was expected to face "tough challenges in trying to change social attitudes," however. FGM is deeply rooted in tradition and popular beliefs. Many families believe the practice will preserve the chastity of young women and stop promiscuous behaviour. 

- The truth is that FGM is based on popular myths, has no roots in any religion, and in fact causes many long- term physical and psychological problems for women, while undermining their quality of life and sense of fulfilment, said Antonio Vigilante, UNDP Resident Representative in Egypt. 

National authorities together with civil society groups and human rights activists have struggled for years to eliminate the practice, and the project was adding to "this momentum" at a time when many laws and policies are under review in Egypt. 

The initiative aims overcome community peer pressure and convince families not to subject their girls to FGM. "It will use various education and training approaches to reach out to families, community leaders, health workers and religious leaders, encouraging them to work together to eliminate the practice," the UN agency said. The campaign was also to air broadcasts on national television and radio. 

According to UNDP, the project further would promote networking among local civil society groups, community leaders, the NCCM and government agencies. "After the project's strategies are tested and evaluated, it will use successful approaches to reach out to more villages." 

- For many years, donors in Egypt have been united in condemning the practice, noted Mr Vigilante, who chairs the Donor Assistance Group. "The FGM project challenged donors to undertake a joint programme," he said. "They have advocated against this harmful practice and now they are practicing what they preach and joining to support the project now that the national institutions have taken the lead." 

In Egypt, FGM generally is performed on girls between the ages of 7 and 10, with equal prevalence among Muslims and Christians. It is based on age-old traditions and is not based in any of the country's religions. 

Since the mid-1990s, the Egyptian government has been committed to eradicating the practice, launching several information and education campaigns. For example, a discussion of FGM and its dangers has been added to the curriculum of the school system. Also the country's most prominent Muslim and Coptic Christian leader on several occasions have stated that FGM is not required by religious doctrine. 

The practice of FGM varies from mildly painful to gruesome procedures. It sometimes involves the removal of the clitoris and other organs with knives, broken glass and razors. Being illegal to perform in hospitals, the procedure is rarely anaesthetic. It can lead to severe problems with menstruation, intercourse and childbirth, psychological disturbances and even death.

Sources: Based UNDP, US State Dept and afrol archives 

 

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