The United Nations through its secretary general Ban Ki-moon, have restated its commitment to employ initiatives that will enable it curb the worrisome rate at which young girls endanger their health through the mutilation of female genital.
The trend which has been tipped as a tradition by some school of thought was vehemently condemned by the United Nations Secretary General noting that several other inhumane practices against humanity have been defended with the same weak argument.
In a statement released by the secretary general to mark the International day of zero tolerance for female genital mutilation, Ki-moon further stressed that all ‘traditions’ that demean, dehumanize and injure are human rights violations must be actively opposed until they are ended.
Female genital mutilation which causes grave harm to victims also leads to several severe long-term health consequences which includes; constant pain, infections, incontinence and sometimes deadly complications in pregnancy and childbirth.
“The practice is declining in almost all countries but it is still very visible in other regions. It is estimated that more than 125 million girls and women alive today have been cut in 29 countries in Africa and the Middle East, where FGM is most prevalent and data exist,” Ki-moon said.
“If this trend continues, some 86 million young girls worldwide are likely to experience some form of the practice by 2030,” the UN secretary general further revealed adding that Asia, Europe, North America and other regions must be equally vigilant in addressing this challenge.
In addition to prevention, the United Nations is also working with partners to help those who have been affected by FGM. Pioneering medical advances now allow doctors to repair women’s bodies and restore their health.
By: ODINAKA MBONU
