Abusing female children by circumcision is continued in Egypt

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Human Rights Law
• Medical Sociology

Background:

• Female circumcision (FC) is recognized as a violation of human rights and a form of child abuse.
• Egypt enacted medicolegal litigation in 2007 to ban the practice, with an expected decline in prevalence.
• Understanding the current prevalence and characteristics of FC is crucial for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of female circumcision in Cairo and Giza in 2010.
• To assess if the 2007 law significantly impacted the practice of FC.
• To identify the age, location, and performer of the procedure, as well as motivations and complications.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted using a formatted questionnaire.
• Data was collected from 244 female volunteers in the Cairo and Giza regions.
• Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate prevalence and associated factors.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of female circumcision among the surveyed sample was 63.9%.
• The mean age at circumcision was approximately 11 years, with procedures occurring at home (56.5%) or private clinics (38.5%).
• Traditional beliefs (64.1%) and religious considerations (35.9%) were primary motivations, and medical personnel performed the majority of circumcisions.

Conclusions:

• Despite legal prohibition, female circumcision remains highly prevalent in Egypt.
• The practice is deeply rooted in tradition and religious beliefs, often performed by healthcare providers.
• High rates of complications, including emotional trauma and sexual problems, underscore the urgent need for continued prevention efforts.