Equality Now Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
7 June 2004
Contact: Lakshmi Anantnarayan
Nairobi phone: +254-20-2719832 or 2719913
Cell phone: 0722-805-539
lanant@equalitynow.org

First International Meeting of Ex-Circumcisers, Convened by Equality Now, Brings Groundbreaking Perspective to the Campaign Against Female Genital Mutilation

7 June 2004--Nine ex-circumcisers from six African countries (Djibouti, Gambia, Guinea-Conakry, Kenya, Mali, and Tanzania) have concluded the first international meeting of former circumcisers, convened by Equality Now in Nairobi, Kenya from 5-6 June 2004. Overcoming challenging language barriers, the women shared with each other their experiences of transformation from circumcisers who performed female genital mutilation (FGM) into activists working to end FGM. Almost all of the ex-circumcisers were motivated to lay down their knives once they learned of the adverse health consequences caused by the practice, particularly for women in childbirth. In some cases, the realization that FGM is not a religious requirement of Islam also played a role in convincing them to stop. Although the ex-circumcisers discussed the need for and importance of finding alternative means of livelihood, they affirmed that they would never revert to FGM for income. One ex-circumciser characterized the practice as “torture.” Another recalled with deep sorrow girls she had cut hemorrhaging to death. Several ex-circumcisers expressed their view that FGM could be eliminated if governments prohibited FGM, and if non-governmental organizations (NGOs) continued sensitizing the public to the dangers of FGM and educating youth to oppose the practice. “By bringing ex-circumcisers together and drawing their experience into the movement, we hope to make the campaign against FGM more effective,” said Faiza Jama Mohamed, Equality Now’s Africa Regional Director.

This historic gathering of ex-circumcisers formed part of the third annual international meeting of Equality Now’s Fund for Grassroots Activism to End FGM (the FGM Fund). Activists from ten African countries participated in the meeting, which focused this year on the role of ex-circumcisers in ending FGM. Last year’s FGM Fund meeting focused on the need for involvement of men in the campaign against FGM and the role of law in ending the practice. This year, the need for laws against FGM and effective law enforcement was emphasized again and articulated by the activists as a common goal. The meeting noted that as awareness of the dangers of FGM grows, more girls are running away from the practice and seeking legal protection, which they are often denied. Some countries, such as Mali and Ethiopia, still do not have laws against FGM. Other countries, such as Tanzania and Guinea, have such laws but fail to implement them. The meeting discussed the relative merits of penalties varying in severity and recognized the need for sentences and fines severe enough to deter practitioners, yet not so severe that enforcement would be rendered impractical.

The need for greater funding of the movement to end FGM was highlighted by the meeting. The importance of reaching out to religious leaders and dispelling the many myths linked to the practice of FGM was also highlighted as an emerging priority, not only with regard to Islam but also with regard to animist beliefs in Africa. In reviewing the progress of the campaign to date, it was noted that over the years the work of NGOs had steadily increased public awareness of the dangers of FGM, and that many more people, women and men, are speaking out against the practice. In Somalia, for example, on International Women’s Day (March 8) 20,000 women and young people took to the streets in eight cities across the country, in the first nationally coordinated public action against FGM.

Equality Now is an international human rights organization that works to protect and promote the civil, political, economic and social rights of girls and women. Equality Now’s Women’s Action Network is comprised of more than 25,000 organizations and individuals in more than 160 countries.

For more information please visit www.equalitynow.org.

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