Stakeholders raise concerns over growing costs of treating FGM Victims

Dar es Salaam. Gender stakeholders have expressed concerns over the increase in the cost of treating Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) victims if collaborative strategies are not devised to combat this harmful practice.

Speaking during the International Conference on Female Genital Mutilation with the theme Change in a Generation on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 stakeholders emphasised the need for concerted efforts to eradicate FGM.

Dr Katrin Bornemann, Head of Public Relations at the German Embassy in Dar es Salaam, disclosed that a girl undergoes FGM every 11 seconds, resulting in a global cost of Sh3.541 trillion to treat FGM victims.

"The financial burden associated with FGM victims is substantial, and the number of young girls and women subjected to this practice is on the rise. We must conduct cross-border research to identify areas with a high prevalence of FGM, so as to facilitate targeted interventions," she explained.

During the closing ceremony of the event, Ms Riziki Pembe, Zanzibar's Minister for Community and Development, noted the country's progress in combatting FGM despite the challenges.

"We have adopted a National Plan of Action to end violence against women and children. We are committed to eradicating violence against women and children in all its forms, including Gender-Based Violence (GBV), by 2030," she asserted.

Ms Pembe stressed the importance of eliminating FGM by 2030, underscoring the significance of community awareness at the grassroots level and male engagement, both at the national and global levels.

She urged stakeholders to unite and expedite the necessary actions to combat FGM.

"As we commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child, let us stand together to put an end to FGM. I am hopeful that our collective efforts will lead to the eradication of harmful practices within a generation," she noted.