Female Genital Mutilation Practitioners Criticised

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Mrs. Gladys Asmah, Minister responsible for Women's Affairs, has criticised traditionalists who still practice Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

She was launching a novel titled 'Mutilated' written by Mr. Annor Nimako. The novel addresses the problems od women who undergo FGM and suggests ways of eradicating the practice in the country and Africa as a whole.

She said that the act is illegal and infringes on the rights of women who at tender age have no idea of the repercussions of undergoing such rites.

Mrs. Asmah said that the government abolished FGM because of the future health problems it poses to those who undergo such operations.

The Minister said anyone who mutilates a girl-child does so illegally and when caught would face the law.

She described the practice as inhumane and obnoxious, and therefore saw no reason why people should indulge in it.

She said not only does it cause excessive pain and trauma, but also it can also lead to death through bleeding. Besides the victim risks contracting HIV/AIDS through the use of infected razor blades and knifes.

She said that although the government has been intensifying its education campaign to stop FGM practice in the country, some uninformed people who still hold on to this tradition believe that it make girls hygienic. "But this has not proved any positive impact on them as they claim," she added.

Over 500,000 Ghanaian women in the Northern and Upper Regions have undergone circumcision.