International day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2023
Every year 6th February is celebrated all over the world as international day of zero tolerance for female Genital mutilation.
The female genital mutilation is a bad practice comprises all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genital for non-medical reasons and is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women.
Types of FGM
The World Health Organization has classified FGM into four different types :
TYPE I – Clitoridectomy
Partial or total removal of the clitoris (a small, sensitive and erectile part of the female genitals) and /or the prepuce (the clitoral hood or fold of skin surrounding the clitoris)
TYPE II – Excision
Partial or total removal of the clitoris and the inner labia, with or without excision of the outer labia (the labia are the ‘lips’ that surround the vagina).
TYPE III – Infibulation
Narrowing of the vaginal opening by creating a covering seal. The seal formed by cutting and repositioning the inner or outer labia, with or without removal of the clitoris.
TYPE IV – Other
All other harmful procedures to the female genitalia for non-medical purposes. E.g., pricking, piercing, incising, scrapping and cauterizing (burning) the genital area.
According to United Nations currently the data related to FGM are terrible and should be stopped.
Some key facts about FGM sourced from UN are below:
- At least 200 million girls & women alive globally undergone some form of FGM.
- If current trends continue, 15 million additional girls between ages 15 to 19 be subjected to it by 2030.
- Highest percentage of FGM in girls of age 14 are in Gambia 56% , Mauritania 54%.
In Indonesia where half of girls aged 11 and younger have undergone the practice.
- Countries with the highest rate of FGM among girls and women aged 15 to 49 are Somalia 98% , Guinea 97% and Djibouti 93%.
- FGM is mostly carried out on young girls sometime between infancy and age 15.
- This practice is very painful, cause severe bleeding and health issues including cysts, infections, infertility as well as complications in child birth increased risk of new born deaths.
- In India, 75% of FGM cases in Bohra Muslim community as per some independent researchers but government denied it and claim that no evidence of FGM in India.
Eradication of female genital mutilation by 2030 is a United Nations sustainability target.
Movement against FGM
The WeSpeakOut campaign (Masooma Ranalvi started it) was established as a platform for survivors of FGM and gained momentum after the conviction of three Bohras accused of FGM in Australia, in 2015.
As a result, groups from countries which have anti-FGM laws, including the UK and US , issued notices instructing their followers not to perform “Khafd” – the Arabic term for female genital cutting .
A women named Insia Dariwala founded an organization called “Sahiyo” with four other women.
The women Insia’s older sister Fatema experienced this horrifying practice and this led to her to found this organization. She avoided FGM because her mother stood up against the cruel practice when she discovered what had happened to Fatema her oldest daughter.
The Quran, the holy book of Islam, does not mention it. However, the Daim al-Islam, a religious text that the Bohra community follows does endorse this practice.
Indian cinema also portrayed this cruel practice in one of the documentaries directed by Priya Goswami titled “A pinch of Skin”
Also, a short film name “CUT” shows about the “FGM” in African countries.
Terminology “Khafz” Vs “FGM”
In support of this cruel practice most of the religious priest differentiate Khafz from FGM . They believe that Khafz is a religious ceremony and it is practicing for the last 1400 years , and it is a harmless procedure involves a nick on the prepuce. During Khafz, the clitoris is not touched at all, and in fact, great care is taken by trained nurses, practitioners & doctors to ensure safety at all levels. But most testimonials state that the procedure is carried out by untrained peoples.
But WHO gives a unifying definition of FGM that covers slightest nick to the most severe form of mutilation of the female genital. So it is clear that in any of the form this practice of cutting female genital comes under the cruelty act against girl and women and violation of their Rights.
This year United Nations commemorate the 12th anniversary of the “International day of the zero tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation” and the theme of this year is “Partnership with Men and Boys to Transform Social and Gender Norms to End Female Genital Mutilation”.
UNICEF calls on the global community to partner with men and boys and foster their engagement to accelerate the elimination of this harmful practice and uplift the voices of women and girls.
Hope that with continuous effort of social service communities , Government and men and boys definitely will eradicate this cruel practice from the world.