BOSTON (CBS Connecticut)
- According to the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, over 130
million women throughout the world have been subjected to female genital
mutilation.
In
the United States alone, an estimated 228,000 women and girls are said to be
either at risk of female genital cutting, or have already endured the process.
“This
represents a significant increase from the 168,000 females who were reported to
have undergone or be at risk for [female genital cutting] in the 1990s,” a release
posted on the hospital’s website noted.
Around
the globe, however, the ritualistic mutilation is on the decline, according to
the United Nations.
The
new statistics were released by the U.N. on Feb. 6, which is universally
recognized as the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting.
“In
the 29 countries in Africa and the Middle East, where the practice of [female
genital mutilation/cutting] is concentrated, on average, 36 percent of girls
aged 15-19 have been cut compared to an estimated 53 percent of women aged
45-49,” the United
Nations Children’s Fund noted on their website.
The
organization added, “The decline is particularly sharp in some countries. [I]n
Kenya, for example, women aged 45-49 are three times more likely to have been
cut than girls aged 15-19.”
The
World Health
Organization defines female genital mutilation as any
procedure that alters or injures female genital organs on purpose and for
no discernible medical reason.
WHO
also noted that the process does not benefit girls or women in any way, and can
lead to severe complications such as infections and infertility.
Officials
were encouraged by the findings.
“Empowered
women and girls are key to breaking the cycle of discrimination and violence
and for the promotion and protection of human rights, including sexual and
reproductive health and reproductive rights,” Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin,
executive director of the United Nations Population Fund, was quoted as saying.
Added
UNICEF executive director Anthony Lake, “This progress shows it is possible to
end [female genital mutilation/cutting] … [a practice which is] deeply wrong.
[W]e can and must end it to help millions of girls and women lead healthier
lives.”
The organization reportedly plans to
release additional data of a more comprehensive nature later this ye
No comments:
Post a Comment