The Road to Ending FGM/C

Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) is a widespread harmful practice that still persists today, even with specific legislative bans. The reason being, the practice moves beyond tradition to one that is socially normalized. Women who refuse the practice or who are prevented from following through with it are socially isolated and even though many of these women are aware of its medical consequences, they still see FGM/C as an integral part of remaining within the community. FGM/C cannot be traced back to a specific origin nor even to a particular religious edict yet people still claim it to hold traditional value. Communities continue to perpetuate this harsh and unnecessary practice simply because it is all they have known.

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At CSW, however, specific individuals and organizations are continuing their efforts in completely eradicating the practice altogether, whether it be through the government or the communities directly. Promising statistics showed that the prevalence of FGM/C is gradually declining among the youngest age groups of affected girls. For example, in Burkina Faso, 89% of the women surveyed between the ages of 45 to 49 have undergone FGM/C compared to 14% of girls between the ages of 5 to 9. Typically, the practice occurs before the age of 5 so the low prevalence rate shows hope for the end of this practice in Burkina Faso.

But while these statistics may mark a trend towards improvement, there is still much more to be done. For example, national legislation needs to do more than simply banning the practice. It must transform into a tool used for advocacy and consequence. It needs to be enforced with appropriate punishment to instill actual change.

Beyond that, the social norms within affected communities need to be addressed in order for FGM/C to truly end. Knowledge is not sufficient for changing the mindset of affected communities. The social norm of the practice will only shift once the community understands that abandoning FGM/C will not jeopardize the culture. They must internalize that it is not an integral feature of their traditions and that they can end it for the sake of the health of all girls and women.