Activists and organizations joined forces on Sunday, July 16, for a pre-conference focused on ending Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C). Hosted at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, the FGM/C pre-conference brought together individuals dedicated to eradicating this deeply entrenched practice.
The event also aimed at strengthening the global movement against FGM/C, foster collaboration, and call for international action to protect the rights and well-being of girls and women worldwide.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), FGM/C encompasses all procedures that involve the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injuries to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. This practice offers no health benefits and leads to severe bleeding, urination problems, cysts, infections, complications during childbirth, and an increased risk of newborn deaths.
A recent WHO report states that "more than 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone FGM/C in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, where it is practiced primarily on young girls between infancy and age 15."
One of the event's highlights was the testimony of Ifrah Hussein, an Irish-Somali survivor of FGM/C. For over a decade, she has raised awareness about the implications of FGM/C by sharing her personal story.
Ifrah shed light on the physical, emotional, and psychological impact of the practice, emphasizing the urgency of the work being done to end it. "Growing up as an FGM victim gave me a difficult experience until I decided to stand up and speak for the voiceless young women who are underrepresented."
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Ifrah's belief that African leaders should take action to end FGM aligns with the urgent need for collective efforts to eradicate this harmful practice. "I urge African leaders to speak out. They have the influence, authority, and ability to shape policies and implement change at the national and regional levels."
Recognizing that addressing this issue requires the participation and commitment of all members of society, participants discussed strategies to involve men as allies in the fight against FGM/C. This inclusive approach aimed to challenge harmful gender norms and create supportive environments that reject the practice.
In addition to the panel discussions, the event provided a platform for attendees to discuss how enacting laws and policies, implementing formal and informal education, and discouraging medicalization can contribute to ending FGM/C. This practice is internationally recognized as a violation of the human rights of girls and women.
