19 March 2019 - NPWJ News Digest on FGM & Women's Rights

Articles

Why is Egypt still performing so many female genital mutilations?
The New Arab, 18 Mar 2019

Despite a century of efforts to end the practice, female genital mutilation (FGM) is still highly prevalent in Egypt. The National Population Council, housed by the Ministry of Health and Population, was put in charge of Egypt's 2015-2020 FGM abandonment national strategy, entirely funded by foreign donors from the European Union.  Despite being made illegal, FGM is still commonplace, with most cutting operations performed by doctors who should know better.

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“We are working against all odds”: Despite progress, FGM and child marriage numbers cause alarm
UNFPA, 15 Mar 2019

Tadelech Ermias remembers the ridicule she faced when she refused to undergo female genital mutilation (FGM), which was considered a requirement for brides in her community. “It was inconceivable then for a girl to get married without being cut,” she said. 

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Is legislation enough? The battle against Female Genital Mutilation
PoliticsHome, 15 Mar 2019

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is one of the rare issues that has overwhelming cross-party support, nevertheless, tackling the issue has proved to be complicated. It has been outlawed to perform FGM on children or adults since 1985, and it has been an offense to arrange FGM outside the country for a British citizen or permanent residents since 2005. Yet, Daughters of Eve a non-profit organisation dedicated to stopping FGM and helping their survivors, estimate that 23,000 girls are cut in the UK every year.

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Saudi Arabia puts women's rights activists on trial
BBC, 14 Mar 2019

Ten women's rights activists have gone on trial in Saudi Arabia in a case that has raised questions about the kingdom's human rights record. Those who appeared included Loujain al-Hathloul, a prominent figure in the campaign to win Saudi women the right to drive. She was detained last May. A UK-based Saudi rights organisation, ALQST, said they were charged under the country's cyber-crimes law.
 

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At the U.N., America Turns Back the Clock on Women’s Rights
Foreign Policy, 14 Mar 2019

The Trump administration is lining up with less liberal nations such as Saudi Arabia and Malaysia at a major United Nations conference on women this month to roll back international consensus on climate change and migration, while seeking to prevent the expansion of rights for girls, women, and LGBT people.
 
 

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