Egypt increases prison terms for female genital mutilation
Human rights groups applaud Egypt’s recent crackdown on female genital mutilation as a positive step, but also note political change must be accompanied by significant shifts in cultural and religious attitudes.
![- PHOTO TAKEN 13JUN06 -
A counsellor holds up cards used to educate women about female genital mutilation (FGM) in Minia June 13, 2006. The practice of FGM dates back over two thousand years in Egypt and is widely practiced in all levels of society for [Muslims and Christians] alike. [Many organizations like UNICEF] have funded programs to help educate people about the risks and dangers of FGM in order to change people's opinions on this procedure which is seen by many as a necessary social norm. Picture ta](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_large/public/almpics/2016/09/RTXOQUZ.jpg/RTXOQUZ.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=oCV6TCC9 "EGYPT")
CAIRO — The Egyptian parliament has significantly boosted criminal penalties for female genital mutilation (FGM), passing an amendment that is widely welcomed by many segments of Egyptian society. Human rights groups are hoping, but are not convinced, that the amendment will help reduce this widespread phenomenon across Egypt.
In 2008, Egypt banned FGM operations in governmental and nongovernmental hospitals and other private or public practices following the death of an Egyptian teenager, Baddour Shaker, who had undergone the procedure in June of that year.
A few months later, an article was added to the penal code criminalizing FGM and punishing those who force it upon women with jail terms of three months to two years, in addition to a fine of 1,000-5,000 Egyptian pounds ($113 to $563).
The bill defined FGM as being “the partial or full removal of the external genital parts or deformity of such parts without any medical justification.”
