Female Genital Mutilation in the Central African Republic

Written by Neve Walker, Edited by Harshvir Chahal, Grace Yoon, & Harvi Karatha

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.

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.

The Murua Girls Child Education program is an organization that raises awareness on child rights and protection from harmful practices, such as female genital mutilation. “Every time I speak about FGC, I speak as a survivor of the practice… My daughter will never speak as a survivor,” says Seleyian Partoip (End FGC Activist, Founder, and Director of Murua Girl Child Education Programme). The Murua Girls Child Education Program's vision is to preserve, promote, and protect cultural practices while stopping harmful traditions. They do this by reaching out to schools, and communities and educating them on these harmful practices while also teaching them proper hygiene, their bodies, and their rights. The Murua Girls Child Education program also reaches out to youth in African countries.

Female genital mutilation is a serious problem in the Central African Republic, but with the help of The Orchid Project and The Murua Girls Child Education Program, this issue will be undermined. With the right education, outreach, and awareness, the practice of female genital mutilation or cutting will be abandoned. It is important to donate to these organizations for them to reach their goal of eliminating the practice of female genital mutilation by 2030.

References

Central African Republic | Rights in Exile Programme. (n.d.). Rights in Exile Programme | Refugee Legal Aid Information for Lawyers Representing Refugees Globally. Retrieved July 22, 2021, from https://www.refugeelegalaidinformation.org/central-african-republic-fgm#:~:text=According%20to%20UNICEF%2C%20the%20prevalence,want%20the%20 practice%20to%20end

Mersha, M. (n.d.). Female genital mutilation. WHO | World Health Organization; World Health Organization. Retrieved July 22, 2021, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/female-genital-mutilation

MURUAGCEP – Muruagcep. (n.d.). MURUAGCEP – Muruagcep. Retrieved July 22, 2021, from https://muruagcep.org/

Orchid Project Central African Republic - Orchid Project. (n.d.). Orchid Project; Orchid Project. Retrieved July 22, 2021, from https://www.orchidproject.org/about-fgc/where-does-fgc-happen/central-african-republic/

TDF-Webredaktion. (2014, February 5). TERRE DES FEMMES - Menschenrechte für die Frau e.V. - Zentralafrikanische Republik (ZAR). TERRE DES FEMMES - Menschenrechte Für Die Frau e.V. https://www.frauenrechte.de/index.php/themen-und-aktionen/weibliche-genitalverstuemmelung2/allgemeine-informationen/fgm-in-afrika/328-weibliche-genitalverstuemmelung/weibliche-genitalverstuemmelung-in-afrika/1467-zentralafrikanische-republik-zar