UNPFA Executive Director Obaid Calls On Governments To Commit To Ending Genital Cutting

Main Category: Women's Health / Gynecology
Also Included In: Sexual Health / STDs
Article Date: 14 Feb 2008 - 8:00 PDT

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United Nations Population Fund Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid last week in Accra, Ghana, called on governments to commit to ending genital cutting -- sometimes referred to as female circumcision or female genital mutilation -- and protect the rights of women and girls, the Accra Mail/AllAfrica.com reports (Accra Mail/AllAfrica.com, 2/11). The theme of the fifth International Day Against Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting, which is held annually on Feb. 6, was "Partnering With the Media To Reach Zero Tolerance to FGM" (Ngum-Saidy, Daily Observer/AllAfrica.com, 2/11).

Genital cutting is a practice in which there is a partial or full removal of the labia, clitoris or both. About 6,000 girls undergo the genital cutting, and the World Health Organization estimates that 100 million to 140 million women worldwide have undergone the practice. At least 90% of women who undergo genital cutting live in developing countries -- such as Djibouti, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Somalia and Sudan -- while almost no women undergo the procedure in Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, according to UNICEF (Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 10/11/07). Obaid estimated that about three million women and girls worldwide are at risk of undergoing the practice annually.

Obaid called on leaders to take actions outlined in a U.N. resolution adopted last year. UNPFA "calls on governments to develop effective policies for the elimination of female genital mutilation," Obaid said, adding that "national and community leaders should support the development of prevention and educational programs, which take into account local beliefs and realities." Some government representatives attending a meeting with Obaid cited increasing evidence that genital cutting increases women and girls' risk of HIV infection; increases maternal and infant mortality risk; and harms reproductive, sexual and physiological health.

Obaid said UNPFA will continue to support efforts aimed at ending the practice in 17 high-prevalence countries. UNPFA is "committed to women's empowerment and gender equality and the right to sexual and reproductive health," she said (Accra Mail/AllAfrica.com, 2/11).

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