Female genital mutilation and its medicalization
Female genital mutilation and its medicalization World Health Organization (WHO)
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Health complications, rights, policy, strategies and pushback
Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve the partial or total removal of external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. FGM constitutes a severe violation of human rights, as acknowledged by international standards and resolutions. It inflicts irreparable harm on women and girls, impairing their rights to health, physical integrity, and freedom from violence and discrimination1. It is estimated that over 230 million girls and women alive today have undergone some form of FGM. UNFPA has estimated that 68 million girls are at risk of undergoing the practice between 2015 and 20302.
The West & Central Africa region counts 17 of the 27 countries where female genital mutilation is prevalent, including countries such as Guinea where nine out of 10 girls have experienced female genital mutilation, or Mali and Sierra Leone with rates well over 80 per cent. Nigeria has the largest absolute number of women and girls undergoing FGM, which alone accounts for 22 per cent of the 68 million women and girls at risk of FGM by 2030. FGM spreads across West and Central Africa, including cross-border practices due to tribal and ethnic affiliations beyond official country limits, sometimes allowing families to get girls cut in neighbouring countries with full impunity. The practice, driven by gender inequality, has short and long term consequences for girls and women.
Webinar on the Health Consequences of Female Genital Mutilation
This webinar aims to raise awareness about the severe health consequences of female genital mutilation (FGM). The webinar will focus on the physical and mental health impact these practices have on individuals and communities, emphasizing the need for comprehensive prevention and intervention strategies. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a framework for addressing FGM as part of the global efforts to achieve gender equality, ensure good health and well-being, and promote inclusive societies. By aligning with SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), the webinar seeks to contribute to the global agenda for sustainable development.
The webinar will also highlight the importance of pushing back on the trend of medicalization of FGM and reaffirm that medicalized FGM remains a human rights violation – an urgent discussion for countries such as The Gambia where there is a current threat of repeal of the anti-FGM clause of the 2015 Women’s Amendment Law and an undertone of a move towards medicalization as a “safer” alternative to traditional cutters.
Health complications, rights, policy, strategies and pushback
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
The article discusses the health complications and human rights violations associated with female genital mutilation (FGM), which aligns with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). It also mentions the cross-border practices and gender inequality driving FGM, which relate to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Additionally, the mention of the threat of repeal of anti-FGM laws and the push towards medicalization highlights the importance of strong institutions and justice, connecting to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
- SDG 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
- SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
- SDG 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (SDG 3.4), eliminating female genital mutilation (SDG 5.3), promoting social inclusion (SDG 10.2), and ensuring equal access to justice (SDG 16.3).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These include:
- Number of girls and women undergoing FGM
- Number of countries where FGM is prevalent
- Percentage of girls in specific countries who have experienced FGM
- Threats or attempts to repeal anti-FGM laws
- Extent of medicalization of FGM
These indicators can be used to measure progress towards reducing FGM, promoting social inclusion, and ensuring equal access to justice.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. | Number of girls and women undergoing FGM |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation. | Number of countries where FGM is prevalent Percentage of girls in specific countries who have experienced FGM |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status. | Threats or attempts to repeal anti-FGM laws |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions | Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. | Extent of medicalization of FGM |
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Fuente: who.int
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