{An Egyptian MP has stirred controversy after rejecting tougher penalties for those who force women into genital mutilation (FGM), saying half of the country’s men “are impotent”.}<\/p>\n
Parliament last week approved longer jail terms for those carrying out FGM, following the death of a teenage girl.<\/p>\n
MP Ilhami Agina responded by saying FGM was needed in order to reduce women’s sexual appetite, to match Egypt’s men.<\/p>\n
The procedure is still widespread in Egypt despite being illegal since 2008.<\/p>\n
It involves the partial or full removal of the external sex organs, ostensibly to control women’s sexuality.<\/p>\n
“This is a scientific fact based on research. Fifty per cent of Egyptian men are sexually impotent. This is a disease,” Mr Agina said in a TV interview.<\/p>\n
“One proof is the spread of imported and local sexual stimulants in the market. Egypt is one of the largest importing countries.”<\/p>\n
He was quoted by other Egyptian media as saying the procedure was needed so women would “reduce their sexual desires” to match that of Egypt’s “sexually weak” men.<\/p>\n
“If we stop FGM, we will need strong men and we don’t have men of that sort.”
\n{{
\nWhat is female genital mutilation?}}<\/p>\n
FGM includes procedures that alter or injure female genital organs for non-medical reasons<\/p>\n
More than 200 million girls and women worldwide are living with the consequences of FGM<\/p>\n
Dangers include severe bleeding, problems urinating, infections, infertility and increased risk of newborn deaths in childbirth<\/p>\n
The practice is mainly carried out by traditional circumcisers, who play other central roles in communities<\/p>\n
It is mostly carried out on young girls between infancy and age 15<\/p>\n
It is practised by both Muslims and Christians in a number of African countries and in parts of the Middle East<\/p>\n
{{What is the situation in Egypt?}}<\/p>\n
Some 87% of girls and women aged between 15 and 49 in the country have undergone FGM, according to Unicef estimates<\/p>\n
But the number has been declining, Unicef says: In 1985, 97% of girls aged 15 to 19 had undergone the procedure; in 2015, that number was 70%<\/p>\n
It is not clear how many girls and women have died because of this practice. But in May, the death of a teenager due to complications caused by FGM prompted the UN to call on Egypt for tougher action<\/p>\n
As a reaction, parliament approved harsher sentences, with jail terms of between five and seven years for those who perform the procedure. Previously, the terms ranged from three months to two years<\/p>\n
A sentence of up to 15 years in prison was also approved for cases of death or deformity<\/p>\n
Mr Agina’s comments on FGM sparked a furious reaction on social media.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, a number of MPs want Mr Agina to be referred to the parliamentary ethics panel for “insulting Egyptians in general and men in particular”, website Al-Mesryoon reported.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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