“The Shadow Pandemic” - FGM

Trigger/content warning: Female genital mutilation

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a procedure that involves the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia. In many countries in the Middle East and Africa, FGM is performed to “preserve” a girl’s virginity, make her marriageable and enhance the sexual pleasure of her future husband. Despite having no hygiene or health benefits, girls from infancy to the age of 15 undergo FGM against their will. Many of the girls who have experienced FGM go on to have various health issues such as severe bleeding, infections, and complications during childbirth. Not only does this practice have detrimental effects on physical health, but it also endangers the emotional wellbeing of women and girls, which can lead to long-term psychological and social consequences. Despite the trauma that girls who undergo this procedure carry, UNICEF estimates that more than 200 million girls and women have suffered FGM in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

Bishara, who is now an anti-FGM campaigner, endured FGM as a young girl and spoke out about her experiences to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

"I was blindfolded. Then she [the cutter] tied my hands behind my back. My legs were spread open and then they pinned down my labia. It's one of the most severe types of medical procedures, and so unhygienic. They used the same cutting tool on all of us girls.”

Through the work of organizations that combat FGM, such as the Desert Flower Foundation, 26 countries in the Middle East and Africa have banned FGM, and the prevalence of this inhumane practice has been on the decline. Another contribution to the anti-FGM movement are women like Margaret Chepoteltel, who have begun to speak out about this taboo topic and bring awareness of the dangers of FGM. By speaking to both elders and young girls, Margaret has been able to provide education about the physical and psychological risks involved with FGM with the intention of eradicating FGM.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, existing gender inequalities are undoubtedly deepening, and the risk of violence against women increases — this effect has been coined the “Shadow Pandemic”. In light of this, UN Women, a United Nations entity dedicated to the empowerment of women and gender equality, launched the Shadow Pandemic public awareness campaign to shine a light on the global increase in violence against women during the COVID-19 pandemic.

One way the Shadow Pandemic is negatively impacting women is with the increased rates of FGM, even in countries where FGM is banned. Since more and more illegal FGM procedures have been forced upon young girls during COVID-19 lockdowns, the perpetrators feeling empowered by the seclusion and privacy that the pandemic provides. Not only has the pandemic elevated the rates of FGM, but the lack of support services available is also leaving these young women vulnerable with no prevention, protection, or support services.

“Two million additional cases of female genital mutilation may occur over the next decade as COVID-19 shutters schools and disrupts programmes that help protect girls from this harmful practice.” - UNICEF Executive Director, Henrietta Fore

Want to be a part of the anti-FGM movement? Here are some of the ways that you can help combat FGM: https://www.globalgoals.org/news/five-ways-to-help-end-fgm

by Harni Ganesarasa '24 (Blog Subcommittee Member)

Resources

“2 Million Additional Cases of Female Genital Mutilation Likely to Occur over next Decade Due to COVID-19.” UNICEF, 27 May 2021, www.unicef.org/press-releases/2-million-additional-cases-female-genital-mutilation-likely-occur-over-next-decade.

“COVID-19 Hindering Progress against Female Genital Mutilation.” www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(21)00030-X/fulltext.

“First Person: 'No Daughter of Mine Will Be Cut' | | UN News.” United Nations, United Nations, https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/03/1088342.

Ontiveros, Eva. “What Is FGM, Where Does It Happen and Why?” BBC News, BBC, 6 Feb. 2019, www.bbc.com/news/world-47131052.

“The Shadow Pandemic: Violence against Women during COVID-19.” UN Women, www.unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/in-focus-gender-equality-in-covid-19-response/violence-against-women-during-covid-19.

“United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women.” UN Women, www.unwomen.org/en.

“Voices of Resilience​.” United Nations, United Nations, www.un.org/en/exhibits/page/voices-resilience%E2%80%8B.

“What Are the Mental Health Effects of FGM/C?” GWU, https://fgmtoolkit.gwu.edu/are-you-health-care-provider/what-are-mental-health-effects-fgmc.