Female Genital Mutilation in the Central African Republic The World Health Organization defines female genital mutilation as “all procedures involving partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.” There are no health benefits to genital mutilation, yet extreme health risks are involved. Severe bleeding, problems urinating, cysts, and infections can occur, as well as complications in childbirth and added risk of newborn deaths. Female genital mutilation is a common tradition. Over 200 million girls and women alive today have been mutilated in 30 countries in Afro-Eurasia. About 30 million girls are at risk of being cut before their 15th birthday if there is nothing done to prevent this tradition. Female genitalia mutilation is, unfortunately, a common problem throughout the world, especially in the Central African Republic. The average percentage of women undergoing female genital mutilation in the Central African Republic is 24%, but it can range from 3%-53% in certain provinces, according to UNICEF. Of this percentage, 52% of girls underwent this procedure between the ages of 10-14.
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The Orchid Project is an NGO that focuses on ending female genitalia mutilation throughout the world. It does this by “catalyzing the global movement to end female genital cutting.”(The Orchid Project) It does this by advocating among global leaders and governments to “ensure work to end [Female Genital Mutilation] is prioritized.” The Orchid project wants to change the world, and it does that through their efforts towards stopping female genital mutilation. With a goal of eliminating all female genital mutilation by 2030, The Orchid Project has been spreading awareness about female genital mutilation through their website.
