International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is proving to be a divisive subject in Egypt, an academic has stated.

According to Dr Richard Gauvain of the American University in Dubai, there is one group in the country that fights for human rights to be universally applied and another that supports "traditional society", Al Arabiya reports.

He noted that FGM has been "seized upon as proof of the ideological chasm" between each set of people and a focal point for discussion between "two mutually irreconcilable parties".

This, he said, means efforts to stop the practice from taking place in Egypt have as yet achieved only a limited degree of success.

Professor Gauvain stated that some traditionalists are not "receptive to arguments for its abolition" because they believe "western meddlers" are behind the calls to eradicate FGM.

The World Health Organization has described FGM as a violation of the rights of young girls and women, as well as a procedure that offers no medical benefits.

Posted by Paul Robertson