Female Genital Mutilation, A Barbaric Act That Must Be Stopped
By Norbert Fidelis
Today marks another celebration of Zero Tolerance, To Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Female Genital Mutilation is a process whereby, the partial or total external female genitalia is removed, for non medical reasons. The extremely painful act is carried out on young girls who are between 0 to 15 years.
This age long dastardly act , is still being carried out in some African countries and parts of Asia. According to the United Nations, an estimated 230 million girls and women have gone through this painful ritual , despite the global effort to curb the menace . Also, medical experts have reiterated the fact that, the act has no health benefits, warning that victims are at risk of some health issues, which include , hemorrhage, infection, HIV transmission, shock or even death, while psychological effects can range from anxiety to depression.
Ironically, some of the societies where Female Genital Mutilation is still being practiced, believe that the ritual makes a girl not to be promiscuous , while others are doing it because of tradition, religion or culture. However, efforts by the international community to stop the act is yielding results, as some communities are abandoning the odious act.
As we celebrate another year of Zero Tolerance To Female Genital Mutilation, stakeholders accross the world should make more concerted effort, by engaging with the Govt, Religious leaders, Civil Society Organizations , Policy Makers and Medical Personnel ,on the need to sensitize and educate the communities where FGM is still being practiced , about the dangers associated with it, and that Religion and Tradition has got nothing to do with FGM. Also, victims and survivors should be allowed to make a call to action, and declare FGM a crime to humanity , as well as a violation of a girls medical right
Female Genital Mutilation is a scourge to the girl child and a violation of her human right. It should be declared a crime. Let’s all join hands and achieve a zero tolerance to female genital mutilation. This year’s theme is “” Step Up The Pace”
