With global migration, the cruel tradition of genital mutilation of girls and women is increasingly spreading in Europe. According to the women’s rights organization Terre des Femmes, there are now more than 100,000 girls and women in Germany whose genitals have been cut, and more than 17,000 girls in Germany are currently potentially at risk.
“We therefore want to promote awareness of female genital mutilation together with partner organizations,” says Edell Otieno-Okoth, an expert at the children’s rights organization Plan International, on the International Day against Female Genital Mutilation on February 6th.
50 advice and contact points in Germany
Around 50 advice and contact points in the individual federal states offer support for affected families. It is just as important to inform professionals from the health and social sector – such as midwives, pediatricians or social workers – and to make them aware of how to deal with those at risk and those affected. “The topic of female genital mutilation must therefore be included in the training curriculum of all professionals in the health and social sector,” demanded the expert.
For 20 years, Plan International has been campaigning against female genital mutilation in several African countries, including Egypt, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali and Sierra Leone. A handbook for those affected also offers help in English, French and Arabic.
