The United Nations in Egypt Supports National Accelerated Efforts to Eradicate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Cairo, 14 June 2020 - On the occasion of the National Day to Eradicate FGM, the United Nations in Egypt joins the Government of Egypt in honoring the memory of all victims of this inhumane crime, while condemning the most recent incident of the father who deceived and forced his three daughters to undergo FGM at the hands of a doctor, risking their lives and potentially causing long lasting physical and psychological implications.

The United Nations in Egypt commends the unprecedented national efforts exerted, under the leadership of the National Committee for the Eradication of FGM co-chaired by the National Council for Women (NCW) and the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood (NCCM), for its timely response in the provision of legal and psycho-social support to the three girls.

The United Nations highly welcomes the most recent measures and plans announce today by the National Committee for the Eradication of FGM and underscores the importance of the existence of a strong political will, solid legal framework and its enforcement, national data and baselines to inform targeting, policy making, and programming to eradicate FGM. The United Nations further welcomes the Government’s inclusive approach to galvanize the efforts of all stakeholders to end this demeaning and humiliating practice which is against all human rights treaties to which Egypt is signatory, and its Constitution.

The United Nations notes the progress achieved since the establishment of the National Committee for the Eradication of FGM in May last year, scaling up initiatives and adopting new innovative approaches, including ‘Protect Her from FGM’ National Campaign that reached millions of households across Egypt. Ms. Cristina Albertin, the United Nation’s Resident Coordinator a.i. in Egypt said, “FGM is a horrid violation of women and girl’s rights. It will only come to end with the collective will and efforts of the whole society. The United Nations in Egypt through its different agencies works hand in hand with the Government of Egypt to address all forms of violence against women and girls, and together we will put an end to this abhorrent phenomenon.” She added, "The efforts of the National Committee for the Eradication of FGM are highly timely and decisive as they work towards ending this practice through addressing its root causes.”

The United Nations family looks forward to expanding its support to the Government of Egypt and working closely with development partners and civil society to protect the rights of women and girls and bring this harmful practice to an end; towards the realization of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 on achieving gender equality.

For media inquiries about this press release, please contact:

Iman Mahdy Amer, Communications and Advocacy Officer – Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Egypt
E-mail: iman.amer@one.un.org
Phone: +2 010 11854776

Merhan Ghaly, Public Information and Media Focal Point – The UN Information Center in Cairo
E-mail: merhan.ghaly@un.org
Phone: +2 01225949909

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