The United Nations says 9 out of 10 women between the ages of 15 to 49 have been subjected to the practice.
Sudan has criminalized the act of female genital mutilation, a historic move in a country where the United Nations says 9 out of 10 women between the ages of 15 to 49 have been subjected to the practice. But some activists warn the practice could be hard to eradicate in a country where it is so entrenched in the culture.
Under the law that was passed earlier in April, any offenders will serve a punishable sentence of up to three years in prison according to The New York Times. According to the U. N. report, Sudan is one of the world’s most-affected nations.
The World Health Organization defines female genital mutilation (FGM) as involving «the partial or total removal of external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. The practice has no health benefits for girls and women. FGM can cause severe bleeding and problems urinating, and later cysts, infections, as well as complications in childbirth and increased risk of newborn deaths.»
The Sudanese Foreign Ministry has welcomed the Sudanese government’s decision, saying in a statement the government «affirmed its confidence in the competence of the Sudanese institutions, its ability and professionalism to protect women, respect them and to enhance their rights in general and in particular the health and social rights. The statement stressed that the issuance of the decision represents an important positive development, and it comes in implementation of the provisions of the constitutional document, Chapter (14) for the Rights and Freedoms, in commitment of the Sudan to the international agreements related to the protection of human rights, especially the women child’s rights.
