| Female Genital Mutilation is a dangerous human rights abuse rooted in gender discrimination affecting millions of women and girls around the world. It is estimated that around 87% of all women in Egypt have been subjected to FGM, totaling 43 million women and girls, more than any other country in the world. The Egyptian Government and international partners have highlighted FGM as a key obstacle to achieving modernization and protecting human rights. Leveraging the strengths and weaknesses of the existing Healthcare system, the Egyptian Government, drafted the National FGM Abandonment Strategy: a comprehensive, multidisciplinary effort to eliminate FGM in Egypt.
Using a case study analysis and the World Health Organization’s Building Blocks Framework, I analyze the effectiveness of the National FGM Abandonment Strategy and Egypt’s healthcare system as a whole. Egypt’s healthcare system is well positioned to move into the modern era, though struggles with physician and technology shortages. The National FGM Abandonment Strategy was remarkably effective in its reach, though failed to resonate with some Egyptians. I offer policy suggestions targeting local communities to increase enforcement of FGM laws and influence the debate on a local level. |
