Girl dies during circumcision
2007-08-11 22:20
Cairo - A 13-year-old Egyptian girl died during a circumcision operation, the second such case reported over the past two months, local media said on Saturday.
The doctor involved has been referred to the state prosecutor for investigation and his clinic in the rural Gharbiyah province has been closed down, state-owned al-Gomhoria daily reported.
The earlier death of a 12-year-old girl during a circumcision operation in June sparked a public outcry and prompted the government to officially ban hospitals from performing the traditional procedure which is widespread throughout Egypt.
To preserve honour
The latest death was uncovered when Karima Rahim Massoud's father applied on Friday for a death certificate, insisting his daughter had died from natural causes, reported the independent daily Al-Masry Al-Youm. The father has also been referred to the prosecutor.
Female genital mutilation usually involves the removal of the clitoris and other parts of female genitalia on the grounds it tames girl's sexual desire and maintains her honour.
It is practiced by Muslims and Christians alike, deeply rooted in the Nile Valley region and parts of sub-Saharan African, and is also done in Yemen and Oman.
While top clerics insist the practice has nothing to do with Islam, parents, especially in rural villages and Cairo slums, believe they are helping their daughters by protecting their virginity before marriage.
A 2003 survey by Unicef said that 97% of married women in Egypt have undergone genital mutilation. A recent study by Egypt's Ministry of Health and Population found that only half of all girls between the ages of 10-18 years have been circumcised.
- AP