RUDAW.NET | 24.01.2010
HRW: Kurdistan fails to combat female circumcision
The recent 20th annual World Report of Human Rights Watch criticizes the Kurdistan Regional...
STOP FGM BLOG | 21.01.2010
The latest Human Rights Watch World Report
Human Rights Watch mentions FGM in Iraqi-Kurdistan twice in its latest World Report...
KAMEEL AHMADY | 01.2010
A message from Iran
I have a message from Iran for you, written in a simple language, away from the many big words...
BRITISH EMBASSY, IRAQ | 12.2009
Working to Reduce Female Genital Mutilation in Kurdistan
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is recognised internationally as a violation of the human rights...
FACEBOOK ARTICLE | 12.11.2009
Female Genital Mutilation is NOT an African problem!
Due to the tireless work of the organisation WADI e.V. the dimension of Female Genital Mutilation in Middle East becomes more and more clear...
TROUW | 12.11.2009
In deel Koerdistan zijn bijna alle vrouwen besneden
Ruim 85 procent van de vrouwen in het Koerdische noorden van Irak is besneden, uit traditie of in naam van de islam... (dutch)
KURDISH HERALD | 05.09.2009
Ms. Arian Arif – a woman's strength cannot be hidden
If you entered a room full of women, she would instantly be the one who captures your attention...
KURDISH HERALD | 04.08.2009
Combating female genital mutilation in Iraqi Kurdistan
As the first organization in Iraqi Kurdistan to open a women’s shelter, WADI is an authority on women’s issues...
Al arabiya | 23.06.2009
Research: Most of women in Iraqi-Kurdistan are circumcised
Relief organization started campaign against FGM... (arabic)
WARIS DIRIE FD. | 16.06.2009
FGM in Iraq
Northern Iraq - Human rights organisation WADI estimates that 60 % of women in Iraq are subjected to FGM...
IWPR | 03.06.2009
Combating female circumcision
Activist describes challenges facing those trying to end the controversial practice in Iraqi Kurdistan...
JEZEBEL.COM | 16.04.2009
Nigeriens, Iraqis Denounce Female Genital Mutilation
10 villages in Niger have publicly denounced the practice and...
THE ATLANTIC | 14.04.2009
Face of the day
Iraqi Kurdish four-year-old Shwen screams during her circumcision in Suleimaniyah on April 14, 2009...
EXPONTOMAGAZINE | 3.2009
Dat zal ik mijn eigen dochter niet aandoen
Als Wadi, een vrouwenrechten organisatie, in 2007 met schokkende cijfers over... (dutch)
ROSITAV.COM | 3.2009
Genital mutilation of Southern Kurdistan (3)
With the genital mutilation of girls at an early age is to control the future of women's feelings and sex drive...
RADIO FREE EUROPE | 10.03.2009
Female Genital Mutilation said to be widespread in Iraq's, Irans's Kurdistan
Tahereh vividly remembers the day in her native town of Marivan in Iran when she was circumcised...
HAWLATI | 08.03.2009
The Traditional Celebration of March the 8th is criticized
While In Kurdistan Region the 103 anniversary of the International Women’s Day is celebrated...
TROUW | 05.03.2009
Koerdische media verbreken zwijgen rond vrouwenbesnijdenis
Voorpagina van de Koerdische krant Hawlati. Hawlati neemt het voortouw in de publieke campagne... (dutch)
RADIO NEDERLAND | 20.02.2009
Kurdistán combate la ablación del clítoris
La circuncisión femenina está avanzando en Kurdistán, en el norte de Irak, según un informe... (spanish)
ROSITAV.COM | 2.2009
Genital mutilation of Southern Kurdistan (2)
With the genital mutilation of girls at an early age is to control the future of women's feelings and sex drive...
ROSITAV.COM | 2.2009
Genital mutilation of Southern Kurdistan (1)
With the genital mutilation of girls at an early age is to control the future of women's feelings and sex drive...
18.1.2009
Recently Published Articles about FGM in Iraqi-Kurdistan
We are glad to present here translated excerpts from various Kurdish newspapers, to update you on the...

 

 

 

Breaking the Silence:
Combating FGM in Iraqi-Kurdistan

Female genital mutilation is recognized in international conventions as a human rights violation and a severe form of violence against women and children. For several decades, international and local agencies and organizations have been campaigning against it in various countries of Africa, and more recently in Europe as well.

But in Iraq, as in other countries of the Middle East, official documents of governments and United Nations agencies alike, still neglect this abuse.

Women in Iraqi-Kurdistan have broken the silence. In 2005, reports indicated that in several areas, nearly 60 % of the women had been mutilated.  Activists and physicians reported similar rates from other parts of the Kurdish region in Northern Iraq.

As a consequence, Women’s groups and human rights organizations, supported by the German NGO Wadi initiated a campaign to stop FGM in the region.

Effective Ban on Female Genital Mutilation

»Stop FGM in Kurdistan« is a result of a broad public debate on FGM. The campaign is initiated and supported by various local and international organizations and aims to bring about an effective ban of FGM.

On the occasion of the International Women’s Day, in March 2007, the campaign »Stop FGM in Kurdistan« published an open letter to the Kurdish Regional Parliament, in all local newspapers, demanding it to legally ban FGM. In only few days, more than 14,000 people signed the letter, among them prominent journalists, artists and writers.

Bill against FGM is currently before the Parliament

Following the public support to the demand to ban FGM, an experts’ conference met in April 2007, including lawyers, physicians, women’s right and human rights activists to draft an anti-FGM law. The bill was submitted to the Regional Parliament and is expected to come into force.

Any donation can make a difference

To hold to the successes achieved by this campaign so far, and to advance further, we need your support: any donation can make a difference. The latest findings paint a dramatic picture of the situation: in the Raniya region the findings stated a cutting rate of nearly 95 % and Reports indicate that also in Iranian Kurdistan the practice of FGM is widespread.