Ghanaian Ministry Steps Up Fight Against Female Genital Mutilation

General News of Saturday, February 9, 2019

Source: Xinhua

2019-02-09

The Ghana Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP) joined Wednesday with the rest of the world to condemn the practice of female bad mutilation (FGM), calling on citizens to take action to end it.

In a statement celebrating the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, the MGCSP called on stakeholders, including the government and civil society groups, not to refrain from any effort to end to this macabre act that has no beneficial effect on the health of women and children.

He stated that the end of female bad mutilation in Ghana was the responsibility of all and that the struggle to eradicate it must be fought as part of a national crusade at the national and community levels.

"As a community of Ghanaians, we must demonstrate our commitment to protecting our women and girls from human rights violations in order to eliminate all forms of violence against them," said the statement signed by Cynthia Mamle Morrison, Minister of MGCSP.

The International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is celebrated around the world every February 6 as part of the United Nations efforts to eradicate female bad mutilation, one of the oldest cultures practiced in Africa since decades.

Female bad mutilation refers to the practice of removing or partially or completely altering the female badia for non-medical reasons, resulting in deep-rooted gender inequality and constitutes a form of discrimination against women. .

In Ghana, parts of the north, north-east, north-west, and Brong Ahafo and Volta regions would be remarkable places where the practice continues.

Studies show that in Ghana, the prevalence in the 1990s was around 77%, but it has dropped dramatically as a result of advocacy and advocacy over the years.

The current national prevalence is about four percent.

The ministry urged law enforcement agencies not to hesitate to prosecute those caught in flagrante delicto, because the laws of Ghana have disapproved the practice of FGM.

Every person convicted is liable on summary conviction to a term of imprisonment of not more than 5 years and not more than 10 years.