[This intervention was made in thirteenth session of 10th Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights (APCRSHR10 Virtual) on 7th December 2020 by Prameswari Puspa Dewi] My name is Puspa Dewi, I am the National Coordinator for KITASAMA, a youth network which focuses on sexuality and diversity in Indonesia. Thank you for inviting me and for allowing me to talk about the interlinkages of sexual and gender-based violence and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in our region.
As a young woman who is part of the 49% of women and girls who have undergone female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C) in Indonesia, I don’t want other young girls to experience the same thing. All forms of FGM/C are a violation of the human rights of women and girls and can lead to a range of physical and psychological consequences. At least 4.1 million girls are being cut globally each year, which will rise to 4.6 million girls by 2030 due to population growth. Over a million of these girls will be in Asia.
I am making this intervention on behalf Asia Network to End FGM/C, a network co-facilitated by the Asian Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW) and Orchid Project. The Asia Network aims to build collaboration and support between groups already working to end FGM/C in our region. I would like to present the following recommendations:
● Firstly, take concrete steps to implement the recommendations of the CEDAW and the CRC which relate to prevention of FGM/C, where applicable, including providing country-level data in relation to SDGs indicator 5.3.2: Proportion of girls and women aged 15–49 years who have undergone FGM/C, by age
● Secondly, a fully funded national action plan to end FGM/C is urgently required, that prioritises community-based programming and a multi-sectoral approach to end the practice. Including programming that is non-judgemental, rights-based and addresses harmful social and gender norms.
● Thirdly, consult and engage religious leaders, scholars, and institutions to issue rulings (fatwas) against all forms of the practice and support and fund awareness and education campaigns.
● Fourthly, and the most important aspect is to engage and empower young people to prevent FGM/C as they play a crucial role in ending the harmful practice of FGM/C, meaningful youth engagement on programme and campaign development is key.
I may be young, but I have experienced it myself. Ending FGM/C is a battle we can win. It can end with us. Let’s work hand in hand to accelerate action to end FGM/C across Asia.
Prameswari Puspa Dewi
(this intervention was made in thirteenth session of 10th Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights (APCRSHR10 Virtual) on 7th December 2020 by Prameswari Puspa Dewi)
