Female genital mutilation

Updated: Tue, 6 Feb 2018

COVID-19 creates 'fertile ground' for genital cutting in Africa

From east to west, the COVID-19 pandemic has seen a surge in reports of girls across Africa undergoing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

factbox Ten facts about FGM, an ancient practice that mutilates girls
Two million more girls worldwide are expected to undergo female genital mutilation over the next decade as the pandemic hits global efforts to end the practice By Nita bhalla | Sat, 6 Feb 2021
Egypt arrests father, nurse for FGM on 15-year-old
After FGM, the girl was taken to hospital with severe bleeding By Menna A. Farouk | Tue, 2 Feb 2021
factbox What is female genital mutilation? Where is it practised?
New law says United States should lead the way in banning the ritual By Emma Batha | Thu, 7 Jan 2021
Egypt's cabinet toughens law banning female genital mutilation
Perpetrators could be jailed for up to 20 years under amendments aimed at stamping out the ancient practice By Menna A. Farouk | Thu, 21 Jan 2021
Texas woman charged with taking girl abroad for FGM
Indictment comes a week after Trump signed a law toughening the country’s ban on the ancient practice By Emma Batha | Thu, 14 Jan 2021
U.S. toughens ban on 'abhorrent' female genital mutilation
President Donald Trump has signed a law which says the United States should lead the way in banning FGM By Emma Batha | Thu, 7 Jan 2021
Coronavirus puts millions more at risk of child marriage and FGM
From breast ironing to virginity testing, flagship UNFPA report highlights ‘silent crisis’ of harmful practices By Emma Batha | Tue, 30 Jun 2020
Coronavirus threatens Kenya goal to end female genital mutilation
COVID-19 school closures have led to "mass cutting" of girls in Kenya, say campaigners By Nita Bhalla | Tue, 9 Jun 2020
Somalia sees "massive" rise in FGM during lockdown and Ramadan
Plan International says crisis is undermining efforts to end the ancient practice in Somalia which has the world's highest FGM rate By Emma Batha | Mon, 18 May 2020
Egypt to prosecute doctor over genital cutting of three girls
Female genital mutilation is banned in Egypt but women’s rights groups say enforcement has been poor By Menna A. Farouk | Thu, 4 Jun 2020
Sudan makes female genital cutting a crime in 'new era' for women'
Sudan says those perform female genital mutilation will face three years in jail By Nita Bhalla | Thu, 30 Apr 2020
World 'woefully' underestimating FGM numbers
FGM affects at least 92 countries, according to a study by Equality Now which highlights its practice in Asia and the Middle East By Emma Batha | Tue, 17 Mar 2020
Kenyan chiefs go door-to-door to stop FGM amid coronavirus
Authorities are concerned villagers may take advantage of COVID-19 school closures to perform FGM on girls By Nita Bhalla | Tue, 21 Apr 2020
Witchcraft beliefs hinder bid to end FGM in Guinea
Traditional cutters are often thought to have supernatural powers in Guinea where 97% of girls undergo female genital mutilation By Emma Batha | Tue, 10 Mar 2020
Egypt doctors launch anti-genital cutting campaign after girl dies
Genital cutting can cause long-lasting mental and physical health problems including chronic infections, menstrual problems, infertility, pregnancy and childbirth complications By Menna A. Farouk | Tue, 11 Feb 2020
Female genital mutilation will take centuries to eradicate - UN
Although progress towards ending FGM is not moving fast enough attitudes are changing, new analysis shows By Emma Batha | Thu, 6 Feb 2020
interview Better pay would end female genital mutilation - survivor
Jaha Dukureh has taken her fight against FGM across Africa and the U.S., where she was sent at 15 to a marry a man she'd never met By Nellie Peyton | Thu, 6 Feb 2020
factbox What is female genital mutilation and where does it happen?
The ritual, often justified for cultural or religious reasons, is underpinned by the desire to control female sexuality By Emma Batha | Thu, 6 Feb 2020
Female genital mutilation hurts economies, says WHO
World Health Organization launches a tool to help countries calculate the cost of treating girls and women harmed by FGM By Emma Batha | Thu, 6 Feb 2020
Egypt detains doctor, parents as girl dies after genital cutting
The victim's parents and aunt took her to a private clinic where she underwent the illegal procedure, also known as female circumcision By Menna A. Farouk | Fri, 31 Jan 2020
Sudan's midwives told to stop genital mutilation on mothers
About 87% of women in Sudan undergo FGM By Emma Batha | Thu, 28 Nov 2019
Kenya pledges to end FGM by 2022 - ahead of global target
One in five women and girls aged between 15 and 49 in Kenya have undergone FGM By Nita Bhalla | Tue, 12 Nov 2019
interview Somali refugee's fight to end 'silent killer' of FGM inspires film
Ifrah Ahmed hopes the film will spur a global movement against FGM on the scale of the HIV/AIDS campaign. By Emma Batha | Wed, 27 Feb 2019
interview Anti-FGM campaigner Nimco Ali launches global bid to protect girls
Somali-born British campaigner hopes launching her campaign will build a network of activists and find new sources of funding to end the abuse of women By Belinda Goldsmith | Wed, 25 Sep 2019

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