SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Reuters - Sudan makes female genital cutting a crime in 'new era' for women's rights
Reuters’ report that Sudan’s criminalisation of FGM highlights warnings from women’s rights groups that social obstacles remain in implementing the law, such as difficulties in changing minds “in communities that view the traditional practice as necessary to marry their daughters.”
Faiza Mohamed, Africa regional director for Equality Now, called for “punitive measures to ensure girls are protected from this torturous practice.”
Mohamed added that, while the criminalisation of FGM “acts as an important deterrent…. people who still believe in the practice might not report cases or act to stop FGM when they know it is happening,” rendering implementation a challenge.
Communities may look for ways to avoid detection, while officials who believe in the practice may not uphold the law, warned Mohamed.