ALL POLITICAL parties should commit to introducing new legislation to prohibit the “harmful practice” of female genital mutilation (FGM) ahead of the general election, a coalition of NGOs has said.
The group, calling for a national plan of action, said yesterday it is concerned at the slow progress in tackling the practice, which affects more than 3,000 women in Ireland and 140 million worldwide.
In a statement published to coincide with International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation, the coalition said it had written to all political parties urging them to commit to a “criminalisation of female genital mutilation” if they enter government.
“Female genital mutilation is a gross violation of human rights that denies women and girls their rights to physical and mental integrity,” said the coalition statement.
A new study by the African women’s network, AkiDwA, which is one of 18 non-governmental organisations in the coalition, estimates the number of women in Ireland living with FGM has increased to about 3,170, up from 2,585 three years ago.
Legislation to outlaw the practice was introduced to the Dáil last month. However, the dissolution of the Dáil for the election means the Bill was not passed into law.
FGM refers to all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. It has no known health benefits and, on the contrary, it is associated with a series of short and long-term risks to physical, mental and sexual health and wellbeing.
FGM is prevalent in some countries in Africa, particularly Somalia, Sudan, Sierra Leon and Egypt. It is typically practised on young girls as part of traditional or religious procedures with parental consent.
The annual international day of zero tolerance, on February 6th, is sponsored by the UN to raise awareness about FGM.
Sophie Magennis, head of office, UNHCR Ireland said the organisation supported the work being done by the coalition to protect the human rights of vulnerable women and girls in Ireland.
“Harmful practices in breach of international human rights law and standards, such as female genital mutilation, cannot be justified on the basis of historical, traditional, religious or cultural grounds,” she said. The United Nations Population Fund and UNICEF are involved in a joint programme in Africa aimed at tackling the problem.