A meeting of the European Union in Brussels attracted activists from Africa and the world to discuss what, if anything, Europe can do to work against female genital mutilation in Africa. Female genital mutilation typically involves removal of all or part of the clitoris, and sometimes other parts of the genitalia, without anaesthetic and usually under unsanitary conditions.
The World Health Organization estimates that worldwide up to 130 million women have been subjected to the practice. Although some Africans defend the traditional practice as necessary to ensure young girls remain virgins until marriage, 15 out of 28 African countries have outlawed the practice. Even so, up to 2 million young girls each year undergo such mutilation either legally in 13 countries or illegally in the others.
African activists want the European Union to strongly condemn the practice as well as create European Union-wide policies allowing women who fear they may become victims of the practice to seek asylum. Greek commissioner for employment and social affairs, Anna Adamant, suggested that the European Union should make foreign aid to African nations contingent on their agreeing to outlaw genital mutilation. That suggestion is sure to draw complaints of Western imperialism from traditionalist supporters of the practice.
Meanwhile in Kenya, where genital mutilation is not specifically illegal, two young women there recently had a court agree to take up a case they filed against their father who they believe is secretly planning a traditional female genital mutilation ceremony for them. In their lawsuit, the young women argue that the practice is an affront to morality and justice.
Sources:
EU tackles female mutilation. The BBC, November 29, 2000.
EU may ban aid to states that allow female circumcision. Andrew Osborn, The Guardian (UK), November 30, 2000.
Familyl in court over circumcision. Muliro Telewa, The BBC, December 1, 2000.