OWN CORRESPONDENT, Rome | Wednesday
HEIGHTENED awareness about the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) in poor countries would help save lives and promote development, international leaders and experts at a conference have heard.
Backed by former European Union Commissioner Emma Bonino, Italian Nobel Prize winner Rita Levi Montalcini and Aidos – an Italian NGO – the conference is campaigning for the practice to be banned in all countries.
Campaigners say traditional practices, such as the removal of a girl’s clitoris, infringe upon basic human rights – rights which “cannot be imposed from above but which must mature in the conscience of those who lack them,” Italian Prime Minister Giuliano Amato told conference participants.
The event was scheduled to coincide with International Women’s Day on Thursday.
A “major shake-up” in African states is needed to improve the rights of women on the continent, but countries such as China or India also need to make an effort, the Italian premier said.
Infibulations – the stitching together of the vulva to prevent pre-marital intercourse – may be part of certain cultures but “no political correctness can convince me that such a violation is acceptable,” he added.
Conference participants from African countries agreed that FGM, performed on babies and young girls, was largely based on ignorance and an ill-defined need to comply with traditions that often date back thousands of years.
“African women have the right to regain control over their body and sexuality,” said Daniela Colombo of the Italian aid group Women for Development (Aidos).
Participants were shown pictures that graphically depicted genital mutilations, which in some areas leave girls dying of infections at a rate of one in 10.
Participants said that awareness campaigns must not only overcome ignorance but also opposition from Muslim, Christian and other clergy to any public discussion of the issue.
“African women think that suffering is a way of life,” said Khadidja Sidibe Aoudou, president of Mali’s association for monitoring and orientation with regard to traditional practices (Amsopt).
“Women are made to believe that an uncut clitoris can cause impotence in men and the death of their children, and that female circumcision allows women to be accepted in their communities,” she added. – AFP
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