Female Genital Mutilation
Proposal To Introduce A New Scheme To Prohibit Female Genital Mutilation
Information on Female Genital Mutilation
Female genital mutilation is defined as the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or any practice which purposely alters or injures the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. It is a form of violence against women and the type of FGM performed varies with ethnicity and region. WHO estimates that between 100 and 140 million women and girls worldwide have undergone FGM.
FGM is an internationally recognised human rights violation of women and girls. The practice has been strongly denounced by the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and other international medical and health organisations as a violation of numerous human rights treaties and contrary to medical ethics. FGM is a serious child protection and women’s health issue that has real implications for children and women in Ireland. The most common age when FGM is performed is between four and ten years, though this can vary from birth until first pregnancy.
FGM has no health benefits and involves removing and/or damaging healthy and normal body tissue. Its short term consequences can include: death; haemorrhage; shock from severe pain and bleeding; transmission of HIV and other viruses. In the long-term, complications can include gynaecological problems, obstetrical complications, increased maternal or neo natal mortality and psychological trauma.
Recent Developments
The Department published the Criminal Justice (Female Genital Mutilation) Bill 2011 on 20th January 2011. The Bill is on the order paper for Seanad Eireann.
