United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, has said Female genital mutilation (FGM) can be prevented, and it can be stopped, so to enable millions of women and girls can enjoy a life to their fullest potential.
Bachelet said Women and girls have continued to undergo the harmful practice, which may be present in more than 90 countries worldwide. She disclosed this in a virtual high-level panel event on FGM at the Human Rights Council. The panel discussion focused on the importance of a multi-sectorial approach on ending the practice of FGM and the creation of bolder policies and programs to address FGM in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 200 million girls and women were victims of Female Genital Mutilation and four million girls were at risk every year, she adding that, the global pandemic is putting more women and girls at risk, with over 20 million girls at risk of not returning to school. She also noted that the loss of jobs, school closures and income, as well as the shifting goals of policy makers and donors are increasing the risks of this oppressive practice.
“Unless the prevention and elimination of this harmful practice is prioritized and integrated in COVID-19 national response plans and humanitarian actions, many girls will be at a higher risk of undergoing FGM by 2030,” Bachelet said.
In July 2020, the Human Rights Council adopted resolution 44/16 on the elimination of female genital mutilation to speed up efforts to reach zero tolerance for FGM by 2030 and to restate the global ban on the harmful practice as it constitutes a serious violation of women’s rights.
The number of women and girls mutilated every year globally could rise to 4.6 million by 2030 if the goal of zero tolerance isn’t reached, said Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
While this may seem bleak, coordination among leaders in Governments and civil society has improved, Kanem explained.
“We see multi-sectoral national plans with dedicated budget lines to address FGM, and legally mandated coordination mechanisms, like Kenya’s anti-FGM board,” Kanem said. “The UNFPA/UNICEF Joint Programme also engages traditional and community leaders, religious authorities, parents, and others in positions of authority.”
FGM is viewed as a religious requirement and a rite of passage, in some African countries and about 20 milion children, women suffer psycho traumatic stress disorder as a result of FGM Medicalization of FGM has resulted in greater harm to girls due to the use of more invasive surgical techniques.
