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Egypt Justly Bans Female Circumcision
Our Opinion
Issue date: 10/1/07 Section: Commentary
Recently in Egypt, an 11-year-old girl died from complications that stemmed from her circumcision. Her death caused both a public outcry and an increase in pressure from human rights groups. Ten years ago the Egyptian government banned the practice of female circumcision however a loophole remained that allowed the procedure to be performed by a qualified physician only "in exceptional circumstances."
Following the girls death Egyptian officials have closed the loophole that allowed female circumcisions to continue. The Egyptian government should be praised for entering the 21st century. According to the BBC News, a spokesman for Egypt's Health Ministry said the procedure was no longer allowed in public or private health centers, and physicians who are caught performing it would be punished. The doctor who carried out the operation resulting in the most recent death has been arrested.
Egypt's First Lady Susanne Mubarak has spoken out calling the procedure physical and psychological violence against children. Egypt's highest religious authorities have also spoken out against the procedure declaring that it has no basis in either the Koran or the Bible.
In rural Egypt, where the practice is the most common, female circumcision is seen as a rite of passage for young girls. The country's conservative families believe that circumcision is a way to protect a girl's chastity. A 2005 UNICEF report determined that 97 percent of women between age 15 and 49 had undergone the procedure. This number is shocking and the Egyptian government should make good on its promise to stop the practice of this procedure.
Female circumcision occurs in various ways openly throughout Africa and more secretly in many parts of the Middle East. Often times the procedure is done by unqualified "physicians" who use unsterilized equipment. Anesthesia is almost never applied and the procedure can be easily botched leading to severe psychological shock, trauma and excessive bleeding. Aside from these initial effects botched procedures can lead to severe health consequences and even, as we have seen recently in Egypt, death. Egypt is to be congratulated for taking this step to close the loophole that bans the procedure.
Although it is disturbing that this trend continued until recently in Egypt, it is enough to praise the Egyptian government for finally banning the procedure and closing the existing loopholes that allowed it. This is a great progression for Egypt, and it is hoped they will take further steps to secure women's rights.
Following the girls death Egyptian officials have closed the loophole that allowed female circumcisions to continue. The Egyptian government should be praised for entering the 21st century. According to the BBC News, a spokesman for Egypt's Health Ministry said the procedure was no longer allowed in public or private health centers, and physicians who are caught performing it would be punished. The doctor who carried out the operation resulting in the most recent death has been arrested.
Egypt's First Lady Susanne Mubarak has spoken out calling the procedure physical and psychological violence against children. Egypt's highest religious authorities have also spoken out against the procedure declaring that it has no basis in either the Koran or the Bible.
In rural Egypt, where the practice is the most common, female circumcision is seen as a rite of passage for young girls. The country's conservative families believe that circumcision is a way to protect a girl's chastity. A 2005 UNICEF report determined that 97 percent of women between age 15 and 49 had undergone the procedure. This number is shocking and the Egyptian government should make good on its promise to stop the practice of this procedure.
Female circumcision occurs in various ways openly throughout Africa and more secretly in many parts of the Middle East. Often times the procedure is done by unqualified "physicians" who use unsterilized equipment. Anesthesia is almost never applied and the procedure can be easily botched leading to severe psychological shock, trauma and excessive bleeding. Aside from these initial effects botched procedures can lead to severe health consequences and even, as we have seen recently in Egypt, death. Egypt is to be congratulated for taking this step to close the loophole that bans the procedure.
Although it is disturbing that this trend continued until recently in Egypt, it is enough to praise the Egyptian government for finally banning the procedure and closing the existing loopholes that allowed it. This is a great progression for Egypt, and it is hoped they will take further steps to secure women's rights.
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