Islamic Clerics In Mauritania Ban
Female Circumcision
Islamic
scholars in Mauritania have officially banned the practice of
female genital mutilation.
A total of 34 Islamic scholars signed a fatwa, or religious
opinion, stating that the procedure has been proven to be
harmful either at the time it is carried out or subsequently.
The World Health Organisation says the practice can lead to
recurrent infections, infertility and an increased risk of
complications in childbirth.
Over 70 per cent of Mauritanian girls have had their external
genitalia partially or totally removed for non-medical reasons,
according to health campaigners.
Despite global recognition of female genital mutilation as a
human rights violation, the practice is still widespread in
parts of Africa.
Panos/Qasim/Yinka
