Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)/Cutting remains widely practiced in Egypt. According to the 2015 Egyptian Health Issues Survey (EHIS), 87 percent of Egyptian women aged between 15 and 49 years old have been cut. Reasons behind FGM vary: following customs and traditions, preserving a girl’s chastity, abiding by misinterpreted religious text or ensuring a girl’s marriageability. However, these rationales are ultimately driven by efforts to control women’s sexuality. Though FGM reflects the highly patriarchal nature of practicing societies, it is traditionally seen as women’s business. This failure in analyzing FGM as an issue that involves both women and men is reflected in the policies, programs and campaigns focused on FGM. As we mark the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM on February 6th, we must engage men in efforts to educate about the harmful effects of FGM and to encourage abandonment of the practice. So why is bringing men to the table crucial for FGM abandonment? The EHIS reveals that 53 percent of women believe that men want FGM to continue. Similarly, 53 percent of women believe that FGM is preferred by husbands. Such numbers suggest that the beliefs held…
The Role of Egyptian Men in Ending Female Genital Mutilation
February 7, 2018
