The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that although FGM has always been rooted in deep cultural traditions, recent evidence shows that more medical professionals are now involved. In 2020, it was estimated that around one in four cases were carried out by health personnel.

FGM involves the removal or injury of parts of the female genitalia for non-medical reasons, often leaving lasting physical and psychological scars. While some may argue that having health workers perform the procedure makes it safer, experts insist that it still causes serious harm, regardless of who carries it out.

The WHO warns that medicalising FGM risks giving the false impression that the practice is acceptable, ultimately undermining global efforts to end it. The organisation is now urging the adoption of strict medical codes of conduct that ban any involvement by health workers.

In a statement, the WHO said; "No matter who does it, it causes harm. This medicalisation also risks unintentionally legitimising the practice, undermining efforts to curtail FGM. With the right training and education, health workers can actually play an important part in ending the practice."

--ChannelAfrica--