Tomorrow, on UN?s day to combat female genital mutilation (FGM), human rights organisations appeal to religious leaders across the world to speak up for zero tolerance to this practice. -Female circumcision is not only a violation of personal integrity and human rights. It is also a cause of extreme pain and represents a serious health hazard, says Norwegian Church Aid?s adviser on gender issues, Thora Holter. (5-FEB-05)
-Every day, some 5000 girls and women are subjected to severe mutilation of their genitals. In many countries, religion is being used as legitimisation for this tradition. However, neither Islam nor Christianity prescribes it. Hence, as a faith-based humanitarian organisation, Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that girls and women continue to suffer severe violations of their most basic human rights, in their own homes, continues Holter.
-Religious leaders must take the lead
-Religious leaders must play a key role in any and all attempts to put an end to this practice, which most commonly subjects girls and women already discriminated to further violations and suffering, explains Holter. In a new report based on NCA?s experience from twenty different projects in eight different African countries, all accumulated over the last four years, a discussion of various aspects of this issue is followed by a presentation of strategies to combat female genital mutilation.
-The tide is changing
It is absolutely crucial to mobilise not only the girls and women themselves, but also boys, fathers, husbands, brothers and local leaders. The challenge may seem overwhelming, but there is reason for optimism. Growing numbers of African girls simply refuse to go through circumcision, and ever more young men prove willing to marry uncircumcised women. Whole villages condemn the practice and declare zero tolerance throughout their surrounding areas, concludes Holter.
To read the full report, click here .
