CAIRO – 30 April 2021: President Abdel Fattah El Sisi ratified the new amendments to Egypt’s Penal Code on toughening penalties against medics who female genital mutilation (FGM). Five days ago, the House of Representatives passed the amendments, per which committing the crime incurs five years of prison, and not less than seven years, if permanent damage occurs. If the victim dies as a consequence, the culprit shall be sentenced to at least 10 years of prison. The convict shall pay for publishing the news in two daily newspapers and news websites with a wide reach. In Egypt, the percentage of FGM among ever married women in age group 15-49 decreased from 92.3% in 2004 to 87.2% in 2015; while the percentage of FGM among girls in age group 15-17 has decreased from 74.4% in 2008 to 61.1% in 2014.

Source: Egypt Today April 30, 2021 09:56 UTC