Pakistan Strives to Address Female Genital Cutting and Bridge Knowledge Gap
Female genital cutting, a clandestine and largely unseen practice, remains a challenge in Pakistan. With no official statistics or government efforts to combat this harmful practice, the understanding of its prevalence relies solely on the experiences of survivors. Open discussions are hindered by the societal perception of women’s bodies as a source of shame or taboo.
To address this issue, it is crucial to gain a Pakistani perspective on female genital cutting and work towards bridging the knowledge gap through enhanced data collection and encouraging dialogue with survivors. Without these efforts, Pakistan risks falling behind in achieving the United Nations’ sustainable development goal of eliminating female genital cutting by 2030.
Female genital cutting involves the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia through methods such as pricking, scraping, stitching, and burning. Globally, an estimated 200 million girls and women have experienced various forms of this practice, which is prevalent on every continent except Antarctica, according to the United Nations.
While female genital cutting is predominantly associated with African countries, there is also a minority group, the Dawoodi Bohra Muslims, practicing it in Pakistan and India. Dawoodi Bohras primarily perform a type of cutting called khatna, which entails removing the clitoral hood. This practice is typically done when girls reach the age of seven, justified as a means to control their sexual desires, promote hygiene, and follow the Islamic teachings.
However, religious scholars, medical practitioners, and activist organizations argue that female genital cutting is a harmful practice and not a religious obligation. The World Health Organization highlights short-term and long-term health risks associated with this practice, including severe pain, bleeding, infections, urination problems, obstetric fistulas, perinatal risks, trauma, and mental health issues.
Although efforts to combat female genital cutting have mainly focused on Africa, it is important to acknowledge its existence among the Dawoodi Bohra community in Pakistan and India. While African countries have been able to measure the prevalence of this practice through national household surveys and self-reporting, there is a lack of official data collection in Pakistan and India.
To curb female genital cutting in Pakistan, it must be openly addressed and understood. Responsible data collection and consensual conversations with community members are vital in this process. Starting the dialogue within the Dawoodi Bohra community is crucial, as lasting change is more likely to happen when initiated from within the community itself. This approach also helps avoid targeting the Dawoodi Bohras in sectarian violence, considering Pakistan’s religiously tense climate.
Given the sensitivity surrounding religion and women’s bodies in patriarchal societies, discussing female genital cutting demands contextual care and caution. By adopting this approach, supported by activists and lawmakers within the community, there is a potential to bring about transformative change and eradicate this harmful practice for good.
Pakistan, aiming to improve its global standing in gender equality, needs to address the issue of female genital cutting with urgency. In a country where violence against women and mistreatment of minorities prevail, promoting open dialogue and knowledge-sharing is essential. The success of recent activism against other gender-related issues indicates that public protests and community engagement can shed light on the problem and put pressure on the government to act.
It is crucial to prioritize ending the practice of female genital cutting in Pakistan by gathering accurate data, engaging in respectful conversations, and ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the issue. By doing so, Pakistan can take significant steps towards achieving gender equality and eliminating the harmful practice of female genital cutting by 2030, as outlined by the United Nations’ sustainable development goals.
