UNS — Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, through the Model United Nations (MUN) Club UNS Student Organization (Ormawa), held a webinar on Embracing Women’s Dignity and Autonomy by Ending Female Genital Mutilation. This activity was conducted virtually through Zoom Meeting and was broadcast live via Model United Nations Club UNS YouTube on Saturday (9/4/2022).
“The purpose of this webinar is to increase public understanding regarding the dangers of female circumcision or Female Genital Mutilation or Cutting (FGM/C). It also aims to reduce the rampant practice of FGM,” said the Student of the International Relations (HI) Study Program, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) UNS, Audrey Nethania Wibowo, while serving as the Moderator for the event.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Key Facts, FGM refers to any actions such as the cutting and tearing of female genital organs, including actions taken intentionally to change or injure female genital organs without medical indications. Audrey added that female circumcision or FGM culture still persists in Indonesia. Even though FGM is included in dangerous actions that are exclusively aimed at women or girls, ironically, this practice that has a clear physical and psychological impact persists in our country.
“Therefore, this webinar also fosters awareness of FGM practices that can hurt women. Because few Indonesian people consider FGM as a custom to follow. Although some people are aware of the adverse effects of FGM on health, they still do so to women for acceptance in the community. This thought is what must be improved,” Audrey continued.
Meanwhile, this webinar invited speakers from the Indonesia National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) Commissioner, Dr. Retty Ratnawati, M.Sc. Dr. Retty explains about Prevention & Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation (P2GP) or Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C).
Dr. Retty said the P2GP practice is still implemented in Indonesia because it is seen as a hereditary culture and is considered a religious order. “In contrast, the medicalization of P2GP can indirectly cause greater damage due to more invasive surgical procedures performed. The parents’ viewpoint who say that P2GP has benefits for their daughters contradicts the evidence from the medical side. The media side indicated that this practice has a harmful impact on girls’ physical and mental health,” explained Dr. Retty.
The stance taken by the Komnas Perempuan regarding the practice of P2GP or FGM is to encourage the integration of an inclusive and intersectional human rights perspective in reproductive health policies. That is by paying special attention to the policy of Zero Tolerance toward P2GP practices. “Female circumcision, in any form, needs to be abolished because P2GP is a form of sexual violence based on gender against women. That also a symbol of a discriminatory act against women,” said Dr. Retty. Furthermore, Dr. Retty also encourages every Indonesian to understand P2GP impact, to take decisive action to stop discrimination, hoaxes, and myths related to P2GP, and to fight for the right to sexual and reproductive health.
The second speaker was the Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist, Dr. Muhammad Fadli, Sp. OG Dr. Fadli explained the Impact and Implications of Female Circumcision. “The practice of female circumcision or FGM or P2GP has no medical benefits because it will cause severe complications, both acute or chronic. Additionally, this action has also been abandoned in Indonesian Medicine for a long time,” concluded Dr. Fadli. Humas UNS
Reporter: Lina Khoirun Nisa
Editor: Dwi Hastuti