It is so surprising and sad that certain practices that degrade the dignity of women and girls still persist in this sophisticated, tech¬nological age.
Some traditionalists still uphold certain beliefs and practices that affect the rights of women and girls despite the various interventions by advocates.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is one of these practices, and it has been prevalent for a long time in Ghana, particularly in the north.
FGM refers to treatments that in¬volve the partial or complete remov¬al of the external female genitalia or other harm to the female genital organs for cultural or other unrelat¬ed, non-medical reasons.
FGM, typically performed on girls between infancy and age 15, under¬mines their rights. It is barbaric, de-structive and diminishes the dignity of women and girls.
It is so distressing that some traditional and tribal beliefs support FGM in Ghana. While some think it promotes a woman’s cleanliness and faithfulness, others view it as a necessary part of raising a girl and a way to prepare her for adulthood and marriage.
The dilemma is how such a primi¬tive approach can be used to control a girl’s sexuality in order to promote premarital virginity and marital faithfulness.
The Spectator demands the aboli¬tion of FGM and condemns the prac¬tice in its entirety. We think that no cultural, religious, or traditional beliefs should be used to support the harmful practice of FGM, which af¬fects the health of women and girls.
According to data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) more than 200 million girls and women alive today have experienced FGM in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia where FGM is still practised.
Although FGM has been practised for more than a thousand years, it is encouraging to know that partner¬ships between the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have seen significant achievements.
According to a 2021 Annual Report on FGM, over six million girls and women got prevention, protec¬tion, and care services connected to FGM through these interventions, and about 45 million people made public commitments to stop FGM.
Additionally, 532,158 females were spared from having FGM.
However, more needs to be done in terms of advocacy and raising awareness because the practice cannot be eradicated in a single generation.
Coordinated and systematic efforts are required to promote the abolition of FGM. These efforts must involve entire communities to con¬centrate on human rights, gender equality, sexual education, and pay attention to the needs of women and girls who experience its effects.
In order to promote awareness, change attitude, and stop harmful traditional practices, NGOs must also collaborate with girls, parents, community leaders, government officials and other stakeholders.
To assist the UN’s efforts to com¬pletely eradicate FGM by 2030, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 5, we urge supporters to step up their efforts to make FGM a thing of the past.