Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) was banned in Egypt in 2008. For the first time since the ban was introduced a doctor was sentenced to jail after carrying out a FGM operation, which led to the death of a 13 year old girl.
Raslan Fadl was sentenced to two years for manslaughter and only three months for FGM.
However, the doctor avoided the sentence and continued his work as a doctor.
It took domestic and international pressure for Fadl to surrender in April 2016. Reportedly Fadl “reconciled” with the family and only had to serve the three- months sentence! Following further pressure, his medical license was revoked earlier this year.
Fadl’s case shows a lack of political will regarding FGM in Egypt. It is not only about failing to arrest those who are already sentenced for practising FGM, but also about the fact, that not a single case of FGM was reported by the state during the last eight years.
The state fails to protect the women right to health and life!
Unless there is a zero tolerance policy towards FGM, young girls will be subjected to FGM! A zero tolerance policy includes stricter actions against health workers and parents, who support FGM!
