FGM/C reflects deeply entrenched patriarchal notions and is consequently often seen as a means of preserving the girl’s virginity, maintaining the notion of ‘sexual purity’ and curbing adulterous behaviour. While having a specific anti-FGM legislation in place in national legal frameworks is an important step towards eradicating this harmful practice, establishing effective implementation mechanisms that would ensure that such a law does not only remain on paper, and is actually implemented on the ground, is crucial.

By Avanti Deshpande

Published 20 May, 2022