Outrage in Russia after religious leaders back female genital mutilation
24.08.16
(Gender-based Violence / Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights / Tradition, Culture, Religion)
Two prominent religious leaders in Russia have provoked outrage after suggesting female genital mutilation could help reduce sexual promiscuity.
The scandal erupted on Wednesday when Vsevolod Chaplin, a former spokesman for the Russian Orthodox Church, rushed to the defence of Ismail Berdiyev, a senior Muslim cleric from Dagestan who said “all women” should be subjected to the practice to eliminate sexual depravity.
Mr Berdiyev, chairman of the Coordination Centre of North Caucasus Muslims, made the controversial comments when asked to comment on a report into the practice published earlier this week.
…The United Nations estimates 200 million women and girls across 30 countries where the practice is concentrated are victims of female genital mutilation.
The practice can cause severe pain and long term health problems and is internationally recognized as a violation of human rights.
Read the rest of the article from The Telegraph.
