SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Feb. 8 (EUROPE PRESS) –
The Parliament of the Canary Islands has approved this Tuesday an institutional declaration, on the occasion of the ‘International Day of Zero Tolerance against Female Genital Mutilation’, in which it expresses its “absolute rejection” of this practice that constitutes a manifestation of gender violence, a serious violation of the human rights, dignity and integrity of girls and women.
As highlighted by the Chamber, the figures “are alarming and terrible in the world” and the United Nations forecasts for 2021 were 4.16 million girls at risk of female genital mutilation.
In Spain, according to data from the INE of 2018, there were 15,562 girls between 0 and 14 years old at risk of being practiced and in the Canary Islands there are 517 girls in the province of Las Palmas and 244 in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
According to the DIMBE Association, which carries out its work in the archipelago, female genital mutilation has become a social reality in the archipelago and needs to be approached from different professional, community and perspective fields, with the aim also of fighting against social exclusion. of this population.
In addition, the complexity of the issue makes interdisciplinary and network work “indispensable” between women’s associations, affected communities and the State, says the institutional statement.
Along these lines, the Chamber emphasizes that “it is essential” to train and raise awareness in affected communities and specialists who work from different fields, especially in Fuerteventura due to its greater incidence, but also in other islands.
AVOID STIGMATIZATION AND REJECTION
Thus, the Parliament is committed to education, prevention, awareness and information in the face of this “serious reality”, as well as a complete “approach” from the health point of view due to the physical, psychological, sexual and gynecological and obstetric problems.
Likewise, it considers the role of social services “essential” to be able to understand the needs of women affected by genital mutilation, facilitate their advice on protection measures and support centers, taking into account cultural gender characteristics, and also identify and protect girls at risk following the principle of the best interests of the child.
In the field of public policies, the Chamber defends “joint and coordinated work” between institutions to meet the needs of the affected or at-risk population and promote good practices to avoid stigmatization and rejection, and favor coexistence between communities.
However, Parliament reaffirms its support for the associations that fight for the eradication of female genital mutilation, for their important work in different fields, expresses its support for women survivors of female genital mutilation and renews its defense of the values of democracy and respect for human rights.
