Egypt approves tougher penalties for female genital mutilation

Egyptian doctors give medical advice to women and girls about Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) during an awareness campaign in Giza, on the outskirts of the capital Cairo on February 18, 2020 [MOHAMED EL-SHAHED/AFP via Getty Images]

Egypt’s Parliament yesterday approved a bill stipulating tougher penalties for female genital mutilation (FGM), local media reported.

Last March, the parliament gave preliminary approval for amendments to Article 242 of the Penal Code (Law No. 58 of the year 1937) that imposes tougher penalties on violators.

Later, the bill was referred to the State Council for review.

The new amendments stipulate prison sentences of up to seven years for non-medical individuals involved in performing the practice if it leads to permanent disability, and up to ten years if it leads to death.

Medical professionals who perform FGM could face between 10 and 15 years in prison and lose their licenses for five years.

READ: Egypt cabinet approves harsher FGM penalty of up to 20 years

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