International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation

FOR THE FIRST TIME, Egypt Celebrates the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation

For the first time in Egypt, a Joint Press Conference was organized by the National Population Council, in a joint collaboration between UNFPA, UNICEF, UNDP, and UN Women, on the occasion of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, an event that is internationally celebrated on February 6th each year.  The conference took place at the premises of the National Population Council, and was attended by a number of representatives of UN agencies in Egypt; Representatives from concerned NGOs; Experts and Professionals; and a group of young people representing the NGOs coalition against FGM/C, in addition to a number of journalists and media representatives who were invited to cover the important event.\

Speakers in the Event:

Dr. Abdel Hamid Abaza, Assistant to the Minister of Health and Population delivered the opening statement with a general overview of the FGM issue from the perspective of Human Rights.  One of the key points he raised was to confirm Egypt’s strong commitment to signed international conventions/treaties to fight FGM/C and referred to MOHP decree and the Penal Code that were released in 2007 and 2008 respectively, criminalizing FGM practice. 

In her statement, Ms. Anita Nirody, UN Resident Coordinator, praised the national efforts exerted through theFGM-Free Village Model, a national programme that was launched ten years ago and was implemented by NPC.   Ms.  Nirody referred to new data extracted from UNFPA-UNICEF Press Releaseissued on 6^th Feb, which indicates that fewer girls are subjected to the life-threatening practice of female genital mutilation/cutting,

Mr. Philippe Duamelle, UNICEF Representative, confirmed Ms. Nirody’s statements and referred to the Declaration of the Egyptian Gynaecologists, which was released in September 2012, emphasizing refusal of Female Genital Mutilation / Cutting (FGM/C).  Mr. Duamelle has also advised that UNICEF is strengthening its efforts with Al-Azhar and that a publication on the important role of the religious leaders in raising religious awareness about the harmful implications of FGM practice.

  In his speech, Dr. Magdy Khaled, UNFPA Assistant Representative and OIC, shed lights on most important recommendations spelled out in  the UN Secretary General Resolution, which represents a worldwide commitment and introduces strategies towards the elimination of female genital mutilation, dated 16 November 2012.  Dr. Khaled highlighted as well the extensive harmonized efforts made by key players that are concerned with FGM issues in Egypt, namely MOHP, NPC, the civil society, and the UN system, which led to a change in the Egyptian attitude whereas around 90 per cent of girls and women have been cut, the percentage of those aged 15-49 who have been married, and who think that FGM/C should stop, doubled from 13 per cent to 28 per cent between 1995 and 2008.  Dr. Khaled added that this conference coincides with Egypt's High Constitutional Court decision of Sunday February 3rdr^d, which  rejected a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Egypt. 

Finally, Dr. Atef Shitany, NPC Secretary-General, overviewed the Council’s most important strategies adapted for combatting FGM practices in Egypt through the national programme for the empowerment of Woman and underlined future steps which will focus on the religious speeches and messages addressed to the public to raise their awareness in that regard. Dr. Shitany stressed on the role of all forms of media (social media, press, tv,…) in supporting the Government. Medicalization of FGM is totally condemned and the 2007and 2008 criminalizing FGM practice should be activated. Dr. Shitany praised the role of NGOs and assured NPC’s strong support to their efforts. In that regard, a documentary film on FGM, produced by NPC, showing efforts made in combatting this practice.

One of the important aspects of Dr. Shitany’s speech was the support he expressed to the role of Youth, being the most daring category of the society to enforce change in people’s attitudes.   Representatives of the NGOs coalition against FGM/C who made an interesting presentation on FGM and played an interestingshort film about FGM, that expresses youth opinion about FGM.  Also, youth made a presentation on the results of the social media campaign.