tawandamusarurwa
Online Reporter
TODAY is the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.
A practice that takes away the dignity of women and girls, FGM is not just harmful but is dangerous. It is a violation of girls’ and women’s human rights.
In a statement, Merck Foundation — the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany — highlighted the harms and dangers of FGM and urged African communities to end the practice through one of the 15 episodes of their “Our Africa”, Pan African TV programme.
The television programme was conceptualised, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Merck Foundation chief executive Dr Rasha Kelej.
“Our Africa” TV Programme has been broadcast on national and prime TV stations of many African countries like Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Zambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Burundi, and more, and is currently on the social media handles of Dr Rasha Kelej (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube) and Merck Foundation (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube).
Dr Kelej said: “Female genital mutilation stands as a grave issue deeply ingrained in numerous cultures across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. We must take immediate action and speak out against this longstanding and harmful practice. FGM deprives women and girls of their dignity, jeopardises their health, inflicts unnecessary pain and suffering.
“It imposes lasting complications, including infertility, yes. Infertility that resulted from untreated infectious diseases which resulted from FGM practice.”
She added that FGM causes other complications such as infections, stillborn babies, and, in some instances, even death.
“It is crucial to challenge and eradicate this damaging tradition,” she continued.
According to the WHO data, more than 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone FGM in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia where FGM is primarily practiced. FGM is mostly carried out on young girls between infancy and age 15.
“Through ‘Our Africa’ TV programme we have conveyed to the communities that FGM only harms girls and women physically and also psychologically, and that it has no health benefits. Rather, FGM can lead to severe medical complications in women including infertility, as infection due to FGM is one of the main causes of Infertility. FGM also increases the risk of HIV transmission and can cause severe complications during childbirth. We must understand that FGM is recognised internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women. This practice needs to stop immediately,” Dr Kelej added.
The statement further said education is one of the most critical areas of women’s empowerment that can help in stopping practices such as FGM, which do not benefit anyone.
“Together with African First Ladies, we have contributed to the future of 425 of girls by providing scholarships to continue their education and also providing essential school items, through our “Educating Linda” programme in many African countries such as Burundi, Malawi, Ghana, The Gambia, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger and more.
“Moreover, we have benefitted thousands of girls through our awareness campaign which includes releasing many inspiring children’s storybooks, animation films and songs to support girl education and end child marriage.
“Additionally, Merck Foundation is adapting their storybooks to create interesting animation films to reach out to the communities to raise awareness on the important supporting girl education.”
Online Reporter