Western Countries Battle Female Genital Mutilation
In parts of Africa and the Middle East female genital mutilation (FGM) has been a long-standing cultural tradition, even for women that have immigrated to Western countries. Immigrant mothers in Scandinavia are still taking their Europe-born daughters to Africa to be circumcised so that they will be “clean” and virginal, but Swedish, Norwegian and Danish governments are not looking the other way.
The Global Post reports:
In Scandinavian countries, female circumcision is illegal even if it happens in another country and even if the practice is legal in that country. It does not matter if the victim said yes, it is still illegal. Perpetrators — such as a girl’s parents — are being prosecuted upon return to Scandinavia and face up to 10 years in prison.
Additionally, the Swedish government has launched a national campaign to try to stop female circumcision in Sweden, and is educating schools, hospitals and police about understanding, preventing and dealing with circumcision. As of January 1st, Norway will offer free genital screenings to all girls emigrating from countries where 30 percent or more women are circumcised.
