CDU EXPERT: Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) has not ended in today’s world.
20 JULY, 2023
Who: Charles Darwin University PhD candidate Huda Syyed, who recently published an article about the lack of data and conversations about FGM/C in Pakistan, titled Lack of data and dialogue on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Pakistan.
Topics:
- The Women Deliver 2023 Conference highlighting the global action needed to end FGM/C.
- FGM/C as a hidden practice threatening the bodily autonomy of young girls.
- FGM/C developments and impact in policy implementation through cultural understanding and community engagement.
- Eradication of FGM/C by the end of 2023 as part of the United Nations’ Sustainable Goal number 5.
- Gender-based violence and treatment of women in Pakistan.
Contact details: Call +61 8 8946 6721 or email media@cdu.edu.au to arrange an interview.
Quotes attributable to Huda Syyed:
“Women Deliver 2023 is a transformative platform that challenges the traditional status quo which openly threatens gender equality and the well-being of young girls. It engages organisations and youth leaders that are trying to end Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) which in turn will lead to effective policy making through active involvement of community members.”
“Sustainable Development Goal number 5 wants to end FGM/C by the year 2030. For that to happen, we must have more conversations and collect further data in countries of South Asia, like Pakistan. This data should focus on culturally sensitive approaches to gradually dismantle the practice. It should be done through a high level of community engagement. The key is to find data and then find solutions - it cannot be done without data.”
“Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting is deeply entrenched in cultural and religious reasoning. They are now using anaesthesia and clinical settings to continue this social norm. These kinds of practices take time effort, and socio-political involvement to change. Communities have started medicalizing FGM/C to downplay its harm and safely cement its continuity. This will pose as an additional challenge to eliminate it.”
Key Facts:
Raphaella Saroukos
Communications Officer
Marketing, Media & Communications
T: +61 8 8946 6721
E: media@cdu.edu.au
W: cdu.edu.au
