Improved Access to Water May Hold the Solution to Ending FGM in Africa

Female genital mutilation (FGM) traditional surgeon in Kapchorwa, Uganda speaking to a reporter. The women in this area are being trained by civil society organisation REACH in how to educate people to stop the practice. Credit: Joshua Kyalimpa/IPSBy Joshua KyalimpaKAMPALA, Jun 20 2014 (IPS) Could it be possible that if women in Africa had access to water, it could save them from undergoing the harmful practice of female genital mutilation (FGM)? It seems that according to yet-to-be released research by Ugandan Gwada Okot Tao, FGM and other forms of circumcision in Africa could be linked to water. Gwada, who conducted research among 20 ethnic groups across Africa, including Kenya, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana, and South Africa, says that ethnic communities that practice FGM in Africa can be found in areas where the water supply is problematic. Gwada found that in Kenya, for example, only three of the East African nation’s 63 ethnic groups did not practice any form of circumcision. And these three communities were found in the Rift Valley region, where there are water bodies like lakes and rivers. The blue lines represent major rivers in Africa with the red circles showing areas where FGM is prevalent. Courtesy: Gwada Okot Tao He believes that FGM has become a prevalent cultural practice as a consequence of a lack of water. FGM involves partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. The ...
Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - Category: Global & Universal Authors: Tags: Africa Development & Aid Editors' Choice Featured Gender Headlines Health Human Rights Population Poverty & MDGs Regional Categories Women's Health Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Source Type: news