From: Biniam Tekle (biniamt@dehai.org)
Date: Tue Feb 23 2010 - 07:40:07 EST
http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/eritrea_52819.html Commemorating the
ban on female genital mutilation in Eritrea
*By Kutloano Leshomo
*
ASMARA, Eritrea, 22 February 2010 – Letenkiel Misghina, a former
practitioner of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), recently attended
an all-day event commemorating the banning of the practice in Eritrea. The
colourful procedings included speeches, poems, testimonies, information
sessions, a marathon, a bicycle race and a carnival.
At the event, Ms. Misghina, 63, recounted the horror she experienced in 1993
when she was circumcizing her first granddaughter. The child bled so much
that she turned pale blue. Fortunately, she survived, but it was a close
call.
Ms. Misghina had learned how to perform female genital mutilation from her
grandmother, who circumcised her first daughter. Ms. Misghina then performed
the practice on her next five daughters. But after the scare with her
granddaughter, she swore never again to perform FGM/C.
“We thought it was our ancestor’s beliefs, but it is just the devil’s work,”
she said.
Three years on
In 2007, the Government of Eritrea passed a proclamation banning FGM/C. An
intensive, multi-faceted advocacy and mobilization campaign ensued,
aiming to change attitudes among different groups of society – including
traditional birth attendants, circumcizers, community elders and religious
leaders.
Speaking at the anniversary event, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Eritrea
Juan Carlos Espinola Ayala called FGM/C a violation of human rights and, in
particular, children’s rights. He implored everyone to stop the practice and
congratulated the Eritrean Government for passing the proclamation banning
it.
Despite the ban, much work is still needed to ensure the full elimination of
FGM/C in Eritrea, where the practice is still seen by many as an important
factor in attaining social acceptance and improving girls' marriage
prospects.
Advocates for change
In 2002, the Eritrean Demographic and Health Survey showed that 89 per cent
of Eritrean women had been cut. This prevalence rate is among the highest on
the African continent. In the survey, 42 per cent of women said the practice
was beneficial for social acceptance; 25 per cent for marriage prospects;
and 18 per cent for religious approval.
Since the ban, it appears that traditional birth attendants and circumcizers
have increasingly dropped the practice and become advocates for change.
UNICEF Eritrea’s goal is to attain a 30 per cent reduction in the practice
of FGM/C by 2011.
The European Community, the Swedish Government and the Swiss National
Committee forto UNICEF have contributed financial resources to facilitate
the abandonment of this and other harmful traditional practices in Eritrea.
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