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Are We Doing Enough Against Female Genital Mutilation?
(UNICEF / Olivier Asselin)

Are We Doing Enough Against Female Genital Mutilation?

Al-Arabiya, Riyadh, February 9

Last Sunday, February 6, marked the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Most Arab countries have banned this practice by law, given the fact that it has no religious basis in Islam and cannot be justified for health reasons. However, it is a social custom that still exists, even among us, especially in poor and rural communities. Last week, I had a chance to listen to Dr. Maya Morsy, president of Egypt’s National Council for Women, who spoke at a virtual symposium held about this topic by the World Health Organization. Dr. Morsy spoke about how genital mutilation is one of the worst crimes, and how it affects women both psychologically and physically. She talked about how several Arab countries have laws designed to protect women and children. She listed all of the legislative frameworks that criminalize FGM. However, relevant authorities and ministries must foster closer coordination and cooperation in order to eradicate this crime. For example, Egypt established a national committee to eliminate female circumcision, which brought together all parties concerned with the matter – whether governmental or non-governmental, in addition to representatives of the executive and judicial authorities, law enforcement agencies, and important religious institutions. These are welcome developments that more countries should take an example from and follow suit. – Osama Al-Ghazali Harb (translated by Asaf Zilberfarb)

TheMediaLine
WHAT WOULD YOU GIVE TO CHANGE THE MISINFORMATION
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ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR?
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