MENTAL HEALTH
3,000 women in Ireland had FGM
February 6, 2013
-
Over 3,000 women in Ireland have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM), according to new research.
The research by the organisation AkiDwA shows that 3,170 women in Ireland have undergone FGM.
In addition, 65% of Irish GPs said that they were unable to identify symptoms presented by FGM patients, 79% were unaware of the different types of FGM while 80% lacked knowledge of the recently passed Female Genital Mutilation Act 2012.
This law made it a criminal offence for someone resident in Ireland to perform FGM and for someone resident in Ireland to take a girl to another country to perform FGM.
Today, February 6, marks the 10th International Day of Zero Tolerance to FGM.The children's charity Plan Ireland says it is working with all governments and community leaders in Ireland and overseas to eliminate this harmful traditional practice.
In some countries, such as Mali where the FGM rate is estimated at 86% and Guinea Bissau where over 90% of girls have undergone some form of FGM, the practice is consistently carried out using unsterile equipment, blunt cutting instruments and without any anaesthetic.
Many bleed to death or die of infections from being cut with dirty utensils. Those who survive the procedure face severe and lasting effects such as painful sexual intercourse, menstrual problems, infertility and HIV/Aids. FGM also increases the risk of childbirth complications and newborn deaths.
CEO of Plan Ireland, David Dalton said FGC (female genital cutting) is a practice which predates both Islam and Christianity. Reasons for it include control of female sexuality, a perception that female genitalia are unhygienic and unsightly and that uncut woman are impure.
"The publication of today's research shows the prevalence of the practice and that unfortunately, many women living in Ireland have also undergone this dangerous procedure," he said.
Plan Ireland is actively lobbying government and working alongside local grassroots organisations in West Africa and elsewhere to change public attitudes to FGC by advocating, raising awareness and educating government and communities.