Sudan outlaws female genital mutilation

Sudan's criminalization of the practice done to a majority of young girls won praise and may reflect some change in attitudes.
Women chant slogans during a demonstration calling for the repeal of family law in Sudan, on the occasion of International Women's Day, outside the Justice Ministry headquarters in the capital Khartoum on March 8, 2020. - Under ousted president Omar al-Bashir's Islamist regime, a notorious "public order" law was used to have women publicly flogged or imprisoned for "indecent" dress or for drinking alcohol, seen as "indecent and immoral acts". Sudan's new government last November revoked the legislation -- b
Women chant slogans during a demonstration calling for the repeal of family law in Sudan, on the occasion of International Women's Day, outside the Justice Ministry headquarters in the capital, Khartoum, March 8, 2020. - ASHRAF SHAZLY/AFP via Getty Images
Al Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East
Al-Monitor Staff

Sudan outlawed female genital mutilation last week, drawing praise from the international community.

The representative in Sudan for the UN’s body for children’s issues UNICEF said the practice, which has been relatively common in segments of Sudanese society, hurts young girls and must end.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.

Videos

See more