Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MUSCAT1065
2006-07-05 13:53:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Muscat
Cable title:
FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION PART OF NATIONAL ACTION
how-tonull Patrick X Disney 07/08/2006 08:20:08 AM From DB/Inbox: Patrick X Disney Cable Text: UNCLAS MUSCAT 01065 SIPDIS MUSCATCX: ACTION: POLE INFO: PAO POLM OMC DAO DCM AMB DISSEMINATION: POLE CHARGE: PROG APPROVED: AMB:GGRAPPO DRAFTED: POLE:PDISNEY CLEARED: POLE:MSNOWDEN VZCZCATI011 RR RUEHC RUEHZM DE RUEHMS #1065 1861353 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 051353Z JUL 06 FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6848 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS MUSCAT 001065
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR G/IWI, DRL, NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SOCI KWMN PHUM MU
SUBJECT: FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION PART OF NATIONAL ACTION
PLAN
REF: A. 05 MUSCAT 1154
B. 05 MUSCAT 402
-------
Summary
-------
UNCLAS MUSCAT 001065
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR G/IWI, DRL, NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SOCI KWMN PHUM MU
SUBJECT: FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION PART OF NATIONAL ACTION
PLAN
REF: A. 05 MUSCAT 1154
B. 05 MUSCAT 402
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. Troubling polling data on the acceptability of female
genital mutilation (FGM) in Oman in a 2001 questionnaire for
16-18 year olds led to a 2004 survey of Omani women by the
Ministry of Health. The surprising results revealed that
more than half of women polled had undergone FGM. UNICEF's
country strategy for 2007-2010, drafted in collaboration with
the Omani government, now addresses FGM alongside traffic
accidents and child abuse in a program devoted to
"preventable injuries." End summary.
-------------- --------------
Social Acceptance of FGM Points to High Prevalence
-------------- --------------
2. According to a 2001 Ministry of Health survey of over
3,500 16-18 year-olds, almost 80% of those polled believe
that female genital mutilation (FGM) is "necessary and
important," with 46.3% of males and 45.1% of females strongly
agreeing with the practice. Struck by those survey findings,
the Ministry of Health subsequently looked upon FGM as a
"serious situation" that "needs to be given particular
attention."
3. According to an April 2006 UNICEF report, however, Omani
statistics generated in a 2004 survey revealed that 85% of
females of all ages accept FGM as a practice, with 53% having
had the procedure done themselves (46% had partial cutting,
8% had the most severe form of FGM, and 46% had no form of
FGM). FGM in Oman is most typically performed on girls
ranging in age from 3 months to 9 years. According to a
doctor working in one of Oman's regional hospitals, 60% of
mothers giving birth under her care had had the procedure
done. Omani hospitals are prohibited from performing the
procedure, but private clinics in the UAE and individuals
known as Khatanahs (untrained traditional midwives) may serve
as alternatives. There is no law actually banning the
practice of FGM in Oman.
--------------
Taking Some Action
--------------
4. In 2004, UNICEF and the Ministry of Social Development
organized the first national workshop on child abuse and
neglect, which addressed the issue of FGM. The Sultanate has
allowed public discussion of the topic in media (ref A),and
looks to address it as a social health problem under the
government's Seventh Five-Year Plan for 2006-2010. UNICEF's
Oman country program entitled "Protection and Participation
of Children and Adolescents" will include FGM along with road
traffic fatalities (the leading cause of fatality for Omanis
aged 1-18) as a focus of "preventable injuries."
--------------
Comment
--------------
5. Underscoring just how little the practice of FGM has been
investigated in the Sultanate, opinions among contacts vary
widely about this topic, with many Omanis resolutely
believing that the practice is unknown to the Sultanate,
while others consider it widespread. It is, therefore, a
positive sign that UNICEF's country plan, worked out in
conjunction with the Ministries of Health, Social
Development, Education, National Economy and Foreign Affairs,
will now put the topic formally on the table. The action
plan, however, does not go into detail on specific steps,
regulatory or otherwise, that the government might take. End
Comment.
GRAPPO
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR G/IWI, DRL, NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SOCI KWMN PHUM MU
SUBJECT: FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION PART OF NATIONAL ACTION
PLAN
REF: A. 05 MUSCAT 1154
B. 05 MUSCAT 402
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. Troubling polling data on the acceptability of female
genital mutilation (FGM) in Oman in a 2001 questionnaire for
16-18 year olds led to a 2004 survey of Omani women by the
Ministry of Health. The surprising results revealed that
more than half of women polled had undergone FGM. UNICEF's
country strategy for 2007-2010, drafted in collaboration with
the Omani government, now addresses FGM alongside traffic
accidents and child abuse in a program devoted to
"preventable injuries." End summary.
-------------- --------------
Social Acceptance of FGM Points to High Prevalence
-------------- --------------
2. According to a 2001 Ministry of Health survey of over
3,500 16-18 year-olds, almost 80% of those polled believe
that female genital mutilation (FGM) is "necessary and
important," with 46.3% of males and 45.1% of females strongly
agreeing with the practice. Struck by those survey findings,
the Ministry of Health subsequently looked upon FGM as a
"serious situation" that "needs to be given particular
attention."
3. According to an April 2006 UNICEF report, however, Omani
statistics generated in a 2004 survey revealed that 85% of
females of all ages accept FGM as a practice, with 53% having
had the procedure done themselves (46% had partial cutting,
8% had the most severe form of FGM, and 46% had no form of
FGM). FGM in Oman is most typically performed on girls
ranging in age from 3 months to 9 years. According to a
doctor working in one of Oman's regional hospitals, 60% of
mothers giving birth under her care had had the procedure
done. Omani hospitals are prohibited from performing the
procedure, but private clinics in the UAE and individuals
known as Khatanahs (untrained traditional midwives) may serve
as alternatives. There is no law actually banning the
practice of FGM in Oman.
--------------
Taking Some Action
--------------
4. In 2004, UNICEF and the Ministry of Social Development
organized the first national workshop on child abuse and
neglect, which addressed the issue of FGM. The Sultanate has
allowed public discussion of the topic in media (ref A),and
looks to address it as a social health problem under the
government's Seventh Five-Year Plan for 2006-2010. UNICEF's
Oman country program entitled "Protection and Participation
of Children and Adolescents" will include FGM along with road
traffic fatalities (the leading cause of fatality for Omanis
aged 1-18) as a focus of "preventable injuries."
--------------
Comment
--------------
5. Underscoring just how little the practice of FGM has been
investigated in the Sultanate, opinions among contacts vary
widely about this topic, with many Omanis resolutely
believing that the practice is unknown to the Sultanate,
while others consider it widespread. It is, therefore, a
positive sign that UNICEF's country plan, worked out in
conjunction with the Ministries of Health, Social
Development, Education, National Economy and Foreign Affairs,
will now put the topic formally on the table. The action
plan, however, does not go into detail on specific steps,
regulatory or otherwise, that the government might take. End
Comment.
GRAPPO