Genital mutilation: a health and human rights issue

Abstract

The practice of female genital cutting and mutilation is continuing to wreak havok on the health of women in countries all over the world. It is estimated that in Africa alone, 75 million women have been genitally mutilated in some manner. The Inter-African Committee on traditional practices affecting the Health of Women and Children (the lAC) is campaigning to eradicate these practices and the campaign is gathering momentum. In 1989, the report of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women included a call for information campaigns to promote eradication of the practice of female circumcision. A lack of cultural sensitivity on the part of some Western individuals and organisations has been a contributing factor to the difficulties faced by the lAC. While the history of Western involvements in the area has not always been productive, there are now opportunities for Western individuals and organisations to support African women who are campaigning against the practice.