ActionAid Ghana supports fight against FGM

The United Nations has designated February 6 as the International Day against Female Genital Mutilation to raise awareness among the general public of this traditional practice which severely violates the human rights of women and girls.

The practice is still widespread in spite of a global commitment following the 2002 UN Special Session on Children to end FGM by 2010.

In Africa, the World Health Organisation reports that every year, some three million girls face the risk of this inhuman act of violence, which exposes them to serious physical and emotional health challenges.

In the 28 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East where female genital mutilation/cutting is performed, some 130 million women and girls have been affected.

Studies

Studies have shown that the practice of FGM, which is rooted in cultural and sometimes religious beliefs, exposed victims to prolonged bleeding resulting in death, extreme pain during child birth and HIV infection, among many others. It robs women of their self-worth and human rights. In addition, it can cause infection and infertility.

Often part of fertility or coming-of-age rituals, FGM is sometimes justified as a way of ensuring chastity and genital "purity."

The UN Secretary General's in-depth study on violence against women reported that, as of April 2006, 15 African states where FGM is prevalent had made it an offence under criminal law.

The UN agency UNICEF is spearheading efforts to end FGM in 16 African countries by 2015, the target year for achieving the Millennium Development Goals. UNICEF's partners in this campaign include other UN agencies such as UNIFEM.

ActionAid Ghana

ActionAid Ghana in a statement on the organisation’s intensive action to end FGM in the country says its research shows that some communities in Bawku in the Upper East Region continue to subject young girls to this dehumanising practice.     

According to the organisation, studies show that some communities in the Bawku area continue to practice FGM, although FGM is criminal and punishable by law. The study also found that 56 per cent of respondents reported that FGM had taken place in their communities, with 75 per cent reporting that in the last five years, they were aware of FGM being undertaken in their local settlements.

It said what was even more disturbing was the fact that 61 per cent strongly supported the practice and 68 per cent reported that they had been subjected to FGM for a variety of cultural and moral reasons. Among many others, they reported FGM boost their chances of marriage, prevents diseases of the genitalia and also helps them avoid ridicule from rivals.

Criminal Code

Act 484, 1994, that amended the Criminal Code, 1960 (Act 29) makes FGM criminal in Ghana.

The primary victims of FGM in the communities studied are usually girls between 10 and 15 years, the prime age of development for the girl child.  ActionAid Ghana, working together with a local partner, BEWDA (Belim Wusa Development Agency), is committed to fighting for a violence-free environment, where the rights of girls and women are respected and promoted.

ActionAid has, therefore, called for the enforcement of the law with a call on government, the police, civil society and stakeholders in health and education to help end the practice.