November 27, 2012: New York - The United Nations General Assembly on Monday passed
its first resolution condemning female genital mutilation, which opponents say more
than 140-million women worldwide have had to endure. Though outlawed in most nations,
the measure represents the first time the traditional practice in African and Middle
East nations has been denounced at such a high level in the United Nations. More
than 110 countries, including more than 50 African nations, co-sponsored the resolution
in the General Assembly's rights committee, which called on states to “complement
punitive measures with awareness-raising and educational activities” to eliminate
female genital mutilation. About 140-million women worldwide are believed to have
been subjected to the practice, in which a young girl's clitoris and labia are removed,
in the belief that this will reduce libido and keep a woman chaste. About three million
women and girls each year are said to be forced to undergo the procedure. “We
will continue to spare no efforts with a final objective: ending female genital mutilations
in one generation. Today, this goal appears closer than ever,” said Cesare Ragaglini,
UN ambassador for Italy, which has played a leading role in international efforts
to eradicate the practice. He called the UN resolution a “powerful tool” against
widespread resistance because it would take condemnation and calls for new measures
to another level. “It is up to us now to exploit it in a more effective way,” Ragaglini
said.