International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

A group campaigning against female genital mutilation in Ivory Coast has called for those who perform the procedure to face stiff punishments.

According to Rachel Gogoua, head of the National Organisation for Children, Women and the Family, the time for raising awareness of the issue has passed, IPS News reports.

Instead, she said, it is now time that those who carry out FGM on females receive appropriate sanctions.

Ms Gogoua was speaking after nine women in the Katiola area were handed 12 month prison sentences and hefty fines for performing the procedure on approximately 30 girls earlier this year.

"We have been waiting a long time for a boost in the fight against this scourge," she commented.

While FGM has been illegal in Ivory Coast for more than a decade, this is the first time a conviction has taken place in the country.

According to the World Health Organization, FGM can lead to numerous health problems in the future, such as cysts, urinary issues and complications during childbirth.

Posted by Alexandra George