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Gender equality advocacy group, Women in Law and Development Africa (WiLDAF) have described as discriminatory some cultural practices, against the cutting of clitoris of girls and women saying that it inhibit their rights.
The Communications and Advocacy Officer of WiLDAF, Abigail Edem Hunu, speaking exclusively to Pulse.com.gh said certain people use culture to justify gross abuse and discriminatory practices against women and girls. while some Ghanaian proverbs, which are passed off as conventional wisdom, express gender biases and reinforce discrimination against women.
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It comprises all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons and is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women.
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It reflects deep-rooted inequality between the sexes, and constitutes an extreme form of discrimination against women and girls.
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The practice also violates their rights to health, security and physical integrity, their right to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and their right to life when the procedure results in death.
Abigail Edem Hunu, she said "Female Genital Mutilation is the most barbaric form of violence against women and girls... It violates their very basci human rights. The scars of FGM on victims are permanent and denies them of their sexual rights and discriminatory in nature."
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She said, to promote the total eradication of FGM, coordinated and systematic efforts are needed, and they must engage whole communities and focus on human rights and gender equality adding that these efforts should emphasize societal dialogue and the empowerment of communities to act collectively to end the practice.
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She however, called for concrete action to be taken against FGM adding that intensive education is needed to address the problem.