female genital mutilation

While the UN is still celebrating International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation, Tostan, a global rights and health organization, and others are enjoying “International Female Genital Cutting Abandonment Day.” The difference in phrasing is subtle, but the significance is huge.

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FGM is often justified with direct reference to fixed gender roles, how women "should" be and the possibilities for financial security FGM supposedly affords. Breast augmentation surgery is carried out for similar reasons with similar risks and results. Both interventions have no discernible health benefits and have potentially negative impact on women’s sexual health, as well as a number of other potential serious health effects. How can we stop them?

A campaign to eradicate female genital mutilation has taken off in Senegal. What if, with the incredibly small sums of money needed by the United Nations campaign to fund these strategies across a continent, we could end FGM within the next ten to 15 years? Both UNICEF and UNFPA work to end FGM, though the GOP-led House of Representatives is seeking to eliminate funding for both.

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Forced mutilation of some 120 young women and girls in Uganda last week has sparked a public debate inside the country about the limitations of a new law and the politics behind the practice.

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Advocates are working strenuously to stop or limit the mass mutilation of up to 200 girls now underway in Uganda.

Follow Jodi Jacobson on Twitter, @jljacobson