Here's a few stats so you can get the gist of how often this procedure occurs, and where its most popular. We've also included some info on the changes and generational trends of FGM.
- Its estimated more than 130 million women and girls have undergone FGM, primarily in Africa and in some Middle Eastern countries.
- It is generally practiced on girls between 4-14. Also known to be practiced on infants, women who are about to be married, pregnant women or women who have had their first-born.
- Up to 3 million girls in sub-Saharan Africa, Egypt and Sudan are at risk of FGM annually
- North-East Africa prevalence varies from 97% in Egypt to 80% in Ethiopia
- Western Africa prevalence varies from 99% in Guinea; 71% in Mauritania; 17% in Benin; and 5% in Nigeria
Generational Trends:
- The differences between the percentage of women aged 15 – 49 who have undergone FGM and the percentage of women aged 15 – 49 with at least one daughter circumcised indicates a change in prevalence of FGM
- In Egypt and Guinea almost all women have undergone FGM – only about half of those women have indicated that their daughters have experienced FGM
All of this information indicates a generational trend towards ending the practice - hopefully! Leave some comments if you can, we really want all of your opinions on this practice
3 comments:
Perhaps it would be of more use to compare the statistics of FGM with the poverty levels of the countries.
The reasons for why certain cultures would embrace such a tradition are varied, but for whatever reason the more extreme customs never seem to last once a society becomes sufficiently wealthy. This though may be connected to Westernisation and Western ideas of emancipation and social liberalism.
I'm referring in general to practices in India such as the treatment of the "untouchables" and the practice of burning widows when their husbands die.
A strategy in stopping FGM may need to involve not simply humanitarian efforts to stop the practice itself, but humanitarian efforts to raise the living standards of the people. If anything this may create the social conscience that FGM is a symbol of poverty and not progress.
Yeah well said. Although i think the procedure is more linked to a male dominated culture where women are only considered mariable if they are "pure" (circumcised in an amature way with no choice). I guess that is linked to poverty because with a good education they can learn early about the power of choice and carry it on through generations
I don't necessarily believe that FGM is a symbol of poverty and not progress, because (we're talking about Africa here) there are changes in the prevalence rates, but Africa still remains as poverty stricken as it has always been. I agree with you certainly that improving the living standards could help, but this is such a tradition that I dont think can be wiped out by some nice new houses.
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