Hotlines for FGM reports

CAIRO – 27 July 2017: Two hotlines were allotted for reporting Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) crimes, for the first time, according to the Ministry of Health and Population.

To report FGM crimes, the Child Helpline is available for free by dialing 1600, or dialing 16021 for the Family Counseling line by the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood, said Dr. Vivian Fouad, Coordinator of the National Program against Female Genital Mutilation.

Female Genital Mutilation, or Female Circumcision, is the practice of removing part of a girl’s clitoris. The practice is believed to suppress a girl’s sexuality in order to be more suitable for marriage.

In May 2017, the directors of the obstetrics and gynecology departments of all Egyptian universities announced that an anti-FGM curriculum will be developed and taught in all medical departments beginning 2018.

Earlier in July, the National Program against Female Genital Mutilation announced the start of an anti-FGM awareness campaign in schools for children between the ages of 10 and 18.

FGM is punishable by Egyptian law for up to 7 years imprisonment and up to 15 if the girl dies. It has also been proven to affect the overall wellbeing of girls mentally as well as physically and may cause bleeding, death, infertility, infection and sexual dysfunction as well as propagating viruses such as Hepatitis C and AIDS.