Minister of Health warns against the practice of FGM

CAIRO – 14 May 2017: The Minister of Health, Ahmed Emad warned doctors and nurses against the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM), stressing that intensified prison sentences awaits law violators, said in a Sunday statement.

The minister said the latest survey report revealed that 85 percent of (FGM) are carried out by doctors and nurses. He pointed out that the Supreme Council of Universities is currently studying the development of curricula in Medicine and Nursing faculties to study the dimensions of the practice of that crime.

Emad clarified that the National Council for Population launched awareness campaigns in cooperation with media outlets to terminate these crimes, that cause psychological and health damages.

According to the Population Health Survey conducted by the Ministry of Health for 2005, 2008, 2014 and 2015 indicates that the percentage of females aged 15-17, who were subjected to FGM dropped from 77 percent in 2005 to 61 percent in 2015.

A 2013 UNICEF report, which investigated FGM in 29 countries, claimed that Egypt has one of the highest numbers of females who have undergone FGM. The number totals up to 27.2 million women.

The report stated that 77 percent of female circumcisions were performed by a medical professional.