Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) involves partial or total removal of the external female genitalia. It also encompasses other injuries to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.
The practice has no health benefits for girls and women. On the contrary, it can cause severe bleeding, problems in urinating, cysts, infections, including complications in childbirth and increased risk of newborn deaths.
Research has shown that more than 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone FGM in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia where FGM is practiced.
FGM is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women. It reflects deep-rooted inequality between the sexes, and constitutes an extreme form of discrimination against girls and women. It is nearly always carried out on minors/infants and thus a violation of the rights of these children.
The practice also violates a person’s rights to health, security and physical integrity; the right to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment; and the right to life, in instances when the procedure results in death.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is opposed to all types of FGM, and is opposed to health care providers performing FGM.
The Treatment of the health complications of FGM in 27 high prevalence countries is estimated to cost 1.4 billion USD per year and is projected to rise to 2.3 billion USD by 2047 if no action is taken .
In commemoration of this day, Hope Inspired Foundation for Women and Youths lend their voices to advocate for the eradication of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) among women and girls with disabilities thereby giving them absolute control over their own lives.
The foundation, in a statement released on Sunday said “We are doing our best in tackling the root cause of FGM by strengthening the capacity of women and girls with disabilities through trainings on improving their sexuality in a one-year project sponsored by Disability Rights Fund.
“We completely say “No” to FGM. Young girls should instead be empowered to change their communities at a very young age.”
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