86 million girls are threatened with circumcision

Genital mutilation: 86 million girls face circumcision

06/02/2015

On the occasion of the International Day Against Female Genital Mutilation, politicians and human rights organizations call for an immediate stop to the circumcision of women and girls. This cruel and barbaric ritual, which often afflicts women throughout their lives, is still practiced in many countries in Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. In Somalia alone, according to the United Nations Population Fund, 98 percent of women aged 15 to 49 are circumcised. Over the next 15 years, up to 86 million girls worldwide will be mutilated on their genitals. That's what the United Nations estimates.

Female genital mutilation is widely practiced despite the ban
140 million girls currently live with the consequences of the procedure, which is usually performed without anesthesia and with the simplest of aids such as broken glass or razor blades, as informed by the Stiftung Weltbevölkerung based in Hanover. In female circumcision, the external genitalia are partially or completely removed. In part, the vagina is sewn and leave only a small opening. Many women die from complications such as bleeding and infection. Even doctors perform the cruel ritual in the affected countries. Then, while the hygienic conditions are usually better during the procedure, the women often suffer a lifetime of psychological and health consequences.

Although genital mutilation has been banned by law in 24 African countries since 1997, women's and girls' voting is still practiced because women are not socially equals, usually have no income of their own and are therefore dependent on their husbands. They are unable to protect themselves and their daughters from cruel intervention.

In Somalia alone, 98 percent of all women aged 15 to 49 are circumcised, 96 percent in Guinea, 91 percent in Egypt, 89 percent in Mali, 88 percent in Sudan, 74 percent in Ethiopia, 66 percent in Liberia and Kenya and Nigeria This figure is 27 percent according to the United Nations Population Fund.

Barbaric genital mutilation of girls is also practiced in Germany
Even in Europe, female genital mutilation is practiced as a result of migration. According to estimates by Terre des Femmes, around 25,000 women are said to be affected and around 2,500 girls are at risk in Germany, although circumcision of women and girls has been considered a criminal offense since September 2013 and is punishable by imprisonment of six months to five years.

„It's high time to end this cruel practice and better protect girls and women from it“, said Renate Bähr, Managing Director of the World Population Foundation. „Since 1997, 24 African countries have banned genital mutilation by law, but the rules alone are not enough to change the deeply rooted tradition. It is only by convincing people that FGM harms girls and can be replaced by other rituals that protects the human right to the physical integrity of millions of girls. To do this, governments in the affected countries must become significantly more involved. The international community should support them.“

The Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid, Christoph Strässer, strongly condemns female circumcision. On the occasion of the International Day Against Female Genital Mutilation he explains: „No tradition and no culture can justify this practice. And it can not be part of a culture to mistreat their daughters. That's why I tell those who continue to do it: let it be! And I say to the states that continue to tolerate it: shut it down!“ His recognition goes to those who work tirelessly „to use for the social change against the mutilation“. (Ag)

Picture: Ulla Trampert