A coordinated social media campaign promoting female genital mutilation (FGM) has emerged in Mali, reigniting national debates regarding women’s rights, tradition, and bodily integrity. The campaign, which surfaced in August, features anonymous accounts sharing images of men expressing support for the practice under the slogan, “In Mali, yes to excision! Let’s protect girls and build their future.”
The online movement appears to be a direct response to a recent anti-FGM campaign launched by a national non-governmental organization in Bamako. Journalists and feminist organizations have identified that many of the images used in the pro-FGM campaign were generated by artificial intelligence, raising questions about the true scale of the movement. While some individuals featured in the posts have defended the practice, others have claimed their images were used without authorization or have retracted their support following public pressure.
FGM remains legal in Mali, despite being a leading cause of death for girls and young women in countries where it is practiced. A 2023 study estimated that the procedure causes approximately 44,000 excess deaths annually across 15 African nations. Survivors often face long-term health consequences, including chronic pain, urinary and menstrual complications, childbirth risks, and psychological trauma.
According to Mali’s latest Demographic and Health Survey, 89 percent of women aged 15 to 49 have undergone the procedure. Among girls aged 0 to 14, the prevalence is 70 percent, a slight decrease from 74 percent in 2018. Although Mali’s 2024 Penal Code addresses violence, it does not explicitly criminalize FGM.
Proponents of the practice often frame it as a religious or traditional necessity and characterize opposition to it as a foreign-imposed agenda. Conversely, women’s rights advocates argue that the practice is a tool of patriarchal control. The debate has drawn significant pushback from health professionals, activists, and the Malian diaspora, with protests occurring in cities including Paris and Montreal.
On August 26, Mali’s National Human Rights Commission formally called on the government to criminalize FGM. Advocates note that while legislation in other countries, such as Burkina Faso and Senegal, has not entirely eradicated the practice, it provides a legal framework for intervention and increases the risks for those who perform it.
Experts suggest that ending the practice requires more than legal reform; it necessitates a shift in community norms. This includes efforts by religious leaders to clarify that FGM is not a religious requirement and continued collaboration between health professionals and local human rights organizations.
Article and image source: allafrica.com
