ASMAA FATHÎ

Cairo- Female genital mutilation (FGM), a procedure performed on a woman or girl to alter or injure her genitalia for non-medical reasons, has been performed in many countries despite the bans. This procedure, described as a human rights violation, is mostly carried out in countries in Asia and Africa although it can cause life-lasting physical and psychological trauma. Nearly 86% of girls and women between the ages of 15 and 19 in Egypt have undergone FGM, according to the UN. Women organizations in the country have launched campaigns for years to draw attention to that only laws cannot end FGM in the country.

It is a crime but perpetrators go unpunished

Entisar Elsaeed, an Egyptian activist for women's rights and the founder and director of the Cairo Foundation for Development and Law, believes that the phenomenon of FGM is deeply rooted in the souls to “protect” female “purity,” and “family honor” which has led to this phenomenon to be still performed in Arab countries, in Africa and Egypt. “Female genital mutilation has been criminalized in Egypt since 2008 but this procedure has been still performed despite the law. In 2016, the Egyptian People's Assembly approved the amendment of article 242 of the Penal Code. In 2021, Egypt’s cabinet approved an amendment to the FGM law. Under these amendments, individuals committing this crime will be punished with a period of imprisonment of between five and seven years. The law criminalizes this phenomenon but the perpetrators still go unpunished. If it is known that the crime has been committed; an independent committee should be formed to combat legal discrimination faced by women. Because FGM is a form of discrimination and violence against women,” she said. 

Alarming rise in the cases of FGM

 Amira Abdelfattaha, a researcher in gender issues, said that the rate of FGM in Egypt is scary. “Nearly 86% of Egyptian women and girls aged between 15 and 49 have undergone FGM. “Recently men have also participated in the campaigns against FGM and this is a hopeful process. The participation of men is important to combat violence against women,” she said.

FGM can cause traumas

Dr. Nadia Jamal, a family consultant, told us the story of a girl, who underwent FGM. “Her family came to my office for their daughter, who was engaged but didn’t want to get married. After several sessions, the girl told me she had undergone FGM and she was afraid of getting married. She was suffered from psychological trauma due to FGM. FGM can cause life-lasting physical and psychological trauma,” she said.