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Published image, Equality now
A team of researchers have spent nearly six months collecting data on female circumcision around the world, and among their findings, the practice is widespread in several Arab countries – contrary to the widespread belief that circumcision is concentrated in women. African countries, especially Egypt and Sudan.
New research prepared by the Equality Now team concluded (Tie now) The British, in cooperation with the European Network and the American Network for the Elimination of Circumcision, reported that female circumcision is practiced almost in all countries of the Middle East: Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar , Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen, in addition to Iran.
Researchers were unable to obtain statistics in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories.
Lawyer Divya Strinivasan, one of the authors of the report, said the research findings revealed several “surprises” related to the Middle East region, including “the presence of studies conducted in Arab countries, but on a small scale, which show that female circumcision exists there “. But the biggest surprise was that the practice “exists on a large scale when you look at the statistics on Iran, Oman and Saudi Arabia.”
There are four types of female circumcision: the first type is the removal of the clitoris, the second is the excision of the clitoris and labia minora, and in the third (sewn circumcision) the labia minora and labia majora are cut and sewn together with a small opening. The fourth type includes all other harmful processes such as pricking, piercing and scratching of the clitoris or genital area.
Female circumcision: what are its types and its misdeeds?
“ Surprising ” figures
Researchers have not been able to collect official data on female circumcision, as few Arab countries publish circumcision statistics, including Iraq, Yemen, Egypt and Sudan.
Therefore, the researchers relied on local statistics announced by each country, if available, and also used small-scale studies (provided the researcher spoke to at least 25 women, or their results were published in academic or medical studies).
The purpose of this report is to make people aware of the numbers that are not available to them and to shed light on the fact that this practice is not only limited to African countries, whereas most efforts have previously been concentrated on studying the practice in African countries and neglecting other regions.
Published image, Equality now
Here are the highlights of the report, which came in over 50 pages, regarding Oman, Saudi Arabia and Iran:
– Oman: This practice is said to be widespread across the country. A census in Al-Dakhiliyah Governorate found that 95.5% of women in the research sample had undergone circumcision. An earlier study found the prevalence of circumcision in the capital, Muscat, by 78% of the sample of women in the research. The first and second types are said to be widespread in the Sultanate of Oman.
It should be noted that in August 2019, Oman issued an amendment to the Children’s Law and explicitly mentioned traditional practices which harm the health of the child and deserve to be punished, including ” female genitals (circumcision) ”. Offenders, doctors, nurses, families and anyone who promotes or helps these practices are punished with imprisonment of at least 6 months and at most 3 years. The penalty is doubled in the event of repetition.
– Saudi Arabia: It was stated in the report that this practice is widespread among Saudi women and girls and women and girls from communities residing in the Kingdom. A study in Jeddah found that 18% of the women and girls in the research had undergone circumcision, while another study in the Al-Hail area estimated the percentage at 80% of the sample. The most common types are the first and second types, as has been said about the cases of the third type.
Iran: The report states that female circumcision is known to be concentrated in the Kurdish region and in Sunni minority communities, particularly in the west and south of the country. Studies in several regions of Iran have found the prevalence of circumcision between 16 and 83% of the research sample. The most common type of circumcision is the first type, and the report also monitored cases of the second type.
Lawyer Divya, who lives in Delhi, India, comments: “I agree with the idea that this practice is not tied to a particular religion, as people of different religions practice it all over the world. – almost in 92 countries. “
She adds: “I think this practice cannot be linked to a specific religion, tribe or culture. Rather, it is linked to gender inequality and the prevailing patriarchal system that seeks to control the sexuality of women and their bodies ”.
Published image, BBC / Dima Nashawi
As for the rest of the Middle Eastern countries, this is the most important of what has been mentioned about them:
– Whose: Official statistics estimate the prevalence of circumcision at 18.5% among women and girls aged 15 to 49. The second type of circumcision is the most common in the country.
– Iraq: Statistics released by national institutions estimate that circumcision is prevalent among 7.3% of women and girls in Iraq aged 15-49. This practice is largely concentrated in the Kurdish region, and the most common type is the former.
– Kuwait: There is a study in Kuwait that estimated the prevalence of circumcision at 38% of the research sample.
– UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Research found that 34% of those who took part in the study underwent circumcision, without knowing the type of circumcision.
With regard to Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar and Syria, the report states that there is “personal accounts of the existence of female circumcision, but the available evidence is very limited”.
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