A girl calls for putting an end to FGM- photo courtesy of UNFPA
CAIRO –6 February 2020: Egypt's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Mohamed Idris asserted on Saturday the government’s keenness on continuing efforts to eliminate the Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) phenomenon via raising awareness and education as well as enlightened and correct religious teachings.
This came during a celebration marking the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation organized by the United Nations.
In a press release, the Foreign Ministry said that Idris also hailed Azhar and Church’s efforts to combat this phenomenon. He also reviewed Health Ministry’s efforts to ban FGM inside medical institutions or by medical doctors and teams. He also hailed the House of Representatives over approving harsh penalties against such crime.
Idris also greeted the UN over its efforts in the past decade especially after the decrease in the percentage of FGM in the world.
On the occasion of the international day of zero tolerance for female genital mutilation FGM, 6 February, the National Committee for the Eradication of FGM, co-chaired by the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood and the National Council for Women, held a virtual meeting on Feb 2, with the participation of members of the committee in addition to representatives of development partners.
The National Committee affirmed the determination thereof to confront this hideous crime of FGM, which negatively affects the present and future of girls, and constitutes a great danger to their lives.
Dr. Maya Morsy, President of the National Council for Women expressed her sincere thanks and appreciation on behalf of all members of the National Committee to Dr. Mustafa Madbouly, Prime Minister, for the approval of the cabinet on the draft law submitted by the National Committee, and Legal procedures have been taken to study it at the Ministry of Justice, which includes amending some provisions of the Penal Code issued by Law No. 58. of 1937, to determine a deterrent punishment for FGM crimes, confirming that this is the culmination of the relentless efforts made by the National Committee for the Eradication of FGM since its formation in May 2019, and a great victory for Egyptian women and girls, as it is a momentum in the agenda of criminalizing FGM in Egypt.
The National Committee for the Eradication of FGM was established in May 2019, including representatives of all relevant ministries, competent judicial authorities, Al-Azhar, the three Egyptian churches and concerned civil society organizations, in cooperation with development partners.
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