Thematic Session III

FGM as an Issue of Women’s Impediment to the Eradication of FGM
The discussion by Members of Thematic Session III

Focused on 4 main issues (which formed the basis for debate)
1. That FGM is a women’s right issue
2. That FGM is a gender issue
3. That FGM is a child protection issue
4. That medicalization is an impediment to the eradication of FGM

The groups made several observations on the above issues, and then came up with recommendations.

Observations:

A. FGM as a Women’s right issue
Members were briefly taken through an historical background on how the practice of FGM had been present for a long time in the distant past.

1970s and 1980s: Advocates for educating communities on the harmful effects of FGM came on the scene. From this there developed the concept of harmful traditional practices. Therefore, communities eventually started turning towards medical personnel for circumcision.

1993: In Vienna, the women’s movement made FGM a violation of women’s rights. Later the CRC (Convention of the rights of the child) championed for the rights of the child.

From among various presenters the following points were noted:
 FGM is a violation of a woman’s reproductive rights
 It is a violation of the right to life and physical integrity
 The Cairo and Beijing International Conferences brought FGM to the forefront as a practice that violates human rights

B. FGM as a Gender Issue
 FGM reinforces gender inequalities which is a major cause of domestic violence
 Gender disparities in formal education are directly related with the practice of FGM
 It affects access to health services and this contributes to the high maternal mortality and morbidity

C. FGM as a Child Protection Issue
Here the discussion centred around the following questions:
(i) Do we as parents have any right to make choices for our children?
(ii) Do children have rights?

Points that came out included:
 The child is not yours alone once outside the womb, she belongs to society also
 The parent may be making undesirable decisions for the child unknowingly because of lack of right information
 Even a parent has no right to subject a child to harmful practices
 In most countries children have rights, and people should obey the Government’s law (This comment arose from a child in the audience)
 They are children because they cannot make decisions independently, and therefore they need guardians. The decisions made for them should however conform to the guidelines provided in the Children’s Act.

D. Medicalization as an Impediment to the Eradication of FGM
By a show of hands, Medicalization of FGM was shown to be an issue in most countries. In view of the harmful consequences arising from the traditional type of FGM, a question was raised as to whether it was right then, to have the cut performed by medical professionals.

(iii) Arguments for Medicalization
 It is safer and life saving complications are avoided
 Any meaningful change in eradication of FGM has to come gradually, step by step
 More harm is caused by allowing the practice to go underground (which will happen if it is stopped suddenly)
 There will be psychological satisfaction maintained for those undergoing the cut
 Some communities are so much in favour of circumcision that the practice cannot be stopped at once
 If FGM has to be done, it should only be done medically

(iv) Arguments against Medicalization
 Allowing Medicalization is like allowing a doctor to cut your finder because you do not want the arm to be cut. It is still mutilation
 The practice would still be traumatic to those undergoing it
 Medical professionals should not offer harmful services to their clients
 It creates confusion, and works against efforts to curb FGM. If health workers can do it, then it will be felt proper for others to continue the practice. It would be sending the write message to the girl- and eventually the practice would flourish again.
 A symbolic cut would indicate that we are liars
 Doctors are not available everywhere. What would happen in those places with no doctors?
 There is no known scientific benefit or health benefit of FGM.



Recommendations

1. Since the child is the most affected by FGM, we need to involve the participation of the child in all matters concerning FGM

2. There should be advocacy for countries to ratify (i.e. make an official approval of) the Maputo Protocol. And towards this:
a) There is need to start from the community level and work upwards in whatever is done
b) A participatory approach should be adopted (to develop a sense of ownership and to guarantee sustainability)
c) All African countries should ratify the Maputo Protocol
d) Regional bodies (e.g. EA Regional Assembly) should take drastic action against countries that do not ratify the Maputo Protocol by the end of the year 2004

3. We should stop FGM from today, September 17th, 2004, and say NO to FGM!

4. Those countries that have not passed laws on FGM should quickly do so.

5. The Children’s Act should be enforced.

6. Networking (between Government and community)

7. We should work towards eradication of FGM by involving everybody including (especially) the men. Men can be involved by informing them of how they will benefit if the practice is eradicated.

8. Take into account the changing faces of FGM including Medicalization. It should be eradicated in all its forms. There should be no medicalization. Whether done in hospitals or elsewhere, it is still FGM and should therefore stop.

9. Identify ways of disseminating the useful information to all, including the illiterate communities

10. Provide a safe haven to those girls who, because of refusing to undergo the practice, are rejected by their families and communities


11. Medical workers should stop medicalization, and stiffer penalties should be given to any that are found practicing FGM.

12. Pregnant women who have undergone FGM should be referred to health facilities for delivery.

13. Develop viable monitoring tools on the practice of FGM.

14. Strengthen the capacity of persons at the grass root level to enable them to spread awareness on FGM.

15. FGM should be regarded as a public health problem.

16. Community leaders (chiefs and assistant chiefs) should be assisted to advocate the eradication of FGM.

17. We should demand the commitment of our leaders in Government (Ministers, MPs-down to the chiefs)

18. Fight against poverty, in addition to FGM (as those practising it usually do it for economic gain)

19. Sensitize the judiciary to handle cases of FGM more seriously

20. Sensitize the media to give more coverage on issues of FGM

21. Sensitize the children on their rights and provide them with sexual education

22. Women to accept and love the way they were created and avoid alterations to their bodies

23. Through research identify root causes of the problem and address those

24. A door-to-door approach (or dialogue) should be tried

25. Women have to support one another

26. There should be a budgetary commitment by Governments

27. Issues on FGM and Gender in general should be incorporated in medical schools and other schools’ curricula, in all countries

28. Countries should develop specific FGM activities, and these should be integrated into all development programmes

29. Delegates from the conference should talk to people outside, concerning FGM.