Egyptian Parliament Continues To Protect Women, Strengthens Penalties For Female Circumcision

Penalties for female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as female circumcision, were toughened by the parliament of Egypt. This is due to the fact that the practice remains widespread even after being criminalized in the country in 2008.

Perpetrators will be punished with up to seven years in prison for doing the procedure. If a child dies, they will be punished with up to 15 years in prison. Fox News reported that a 17-year-old girl died while undergoing female circumcision due to stroke under anesthesia. Likewise, a 13-year-old girl made headlines when she died due to overdose in anesthetics while undergoing the same procedure.

According to The New York Times, the U.N. children's agency reported that nearly 200 million girls have undergone genital mutilation in 30 countries. Half of them were in Egypt, Indonesia, and Ethiopia. In addition to this, UNICEF said that most girls are circumcised before reaching the age of five.

Meanwhile, a flaw in the amendments was seen amidst the toughened penalties. According to Suad Abu-Dayyeh, the procedure might still be performed because the amendments allow specialized doctors to approve cuts of the external female genitals. Abu-Dayyeh is the Middle East and North Africa consultant for Equality Now, an international organization that promotes the rights of girls and women.

Female circumcision is a procedure wherein a part or the whole clitoris as well as the labia minora are removed. Muslims and Christians observe this practice and numerous families do this due to the thought that an uncircumcised girl will not be able to get married in the future.

Public discussions of the procedure have been prevented by social taboos, but various right advocates continue to condemn it. They believe it is a form of abuse which can physically and psychologically harm numerous girls. At present, different organizations continue to protect and fight for their rights.