‘More efforts are needed to eliminate female genital mutilation’
Female genital mutilation and child marriage are prevalent in Egypt despite the legal change and increased penalties. More efforts are needed to eliminate them, says lawyer Naour Al-Huda Wali Al-Din.
ASMAA FATHI
Cairo- Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), a form of violence against women, is still performed in many countries. Egypt is one of the countries, where FGM is prevalent despite the legal change and increased penalties.
‘No complaints are filed against the perpetrators’
In 2021, Egypt's parliament approved amendments, increasing the maximum and minimum prison sentences imposed on FGM crimes. Those who perform genital mutilation can face between 10 and 15 years in prison. Despite the amendments, FGM is still performed in the country. “No complaints are filed against the perpetrators because the perpetrators of this crime are usually family members or the breadwinners of families. The victims do not file a complaint because they think about the future of their family,” said Naour Al-Huda Wali Al-Din, a lawyer in Egypt.
‘FGM is rooted in culture’
In Egypt, FGM is rooted in culture and some believe it is performed for religious reasons. “Changing this culture takes a long time. More efforts are needed to eliminate it. Awareness-raising activities are very important to change this culture. Many women’s organizations carry out awareness-raising activities against FGM.”
Nour Al-Huda Wali Al-Din believes that schools should address the physical and emotional damage caused by FGM. “We should raise children, who are aware of the physical and emotional damage caused by FGM, to end FGM. We should visit house by house to raise awareness.”
‘More awareness-raising activities should be carried out in Upper Egypt’
FGM and child marriage are considered “normal” in Upper Egypt and rural areas, said women’s rights activist Fayrouz Ahmed, pointing to the awareness-raising activities of women’s organizations to eliminate FGM and child marriage. “More awareness-raising activities should be carried out in Upper Egypt and rural areas. The activities should be carried out for not only women but also family members. Poverty is the main reason behind child marriage and early marriages in rural areas as most families are poor. Some families marry off their daughters to reduce their economic burden.”