The office of the United Nations Human Rights expressed grave concerns on Friday about families who ignore national prohibitions on female genital mutilation (FGM) by crossing borders to have it done in countries where it is still legal or where laws against it are not enforced.
In this report, the UN rights office points out this distressing development that apparently undermines significantly worldwide efforts to eliminate the practice. “Female genital mutilation is part of a continuum of gender-based violence and has no place in a human rights-respecting universe,” he said.“ It must be wiped off in all its forms and uprooted from the anchoring gender stereotypes and patriarchal norms that perpetuate it” (Reuters).
Exact number of girls affected by illegal FGM across borders is unknown due to its secretive nature. However, despite global efforts towards ending the issue, the report demonstrates how widespread it is. According to UNICEF, more than 230 million females globally underwent genital mutilation with over 144 million being African while Asian regions accounted for 80 million.
Currently, there are an estimated 4.3 million girls at risk of undergoing such harmful procedures which have been proved not to enhance their health but only result into chronic infections. Thereby, any prospect for lifting the ban poses considerable dangers in Gambia.
“The United Nations continues to stand firm that there can be no excuse for gender-based violence against women and girls anywhere—be it culture or tradition.” This was reiterated by Liz Throssell who acts as spokesperson for UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
According to World Bank records, FGM is currently outlawed in more than 70 nations including over 35 sub-Saharan Africa states. The United Nations calls for more stringent implementation of existing legislation as well as international cooperation so as to protect young girls and adult women affected by this malicious custom.
