A doctor based in eastern Turkey is under a disciplinary investigation by a regional medical chamber over his social media advertisements about genital mutilation practices, the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) has announced.
The practice was illegal and incompatible with medical ethics and human rights, the association's women's health branch said in a written statement today.
'No scientific basis'
“Female genital mutilation is a severe form of violence that violates the bodily integrity, health and fundamental human rights of women and girls. It has no medical necessity or scientific basis,” the statement said.
“This practice is unequivocally rejected by international health and human rights organizations, particularly the World Health Organization. It cannot be reconciled with the medical profession.”
TTB Women said the Ağrı-Kars-Ardahan-Iğdır Medical Chamber had launched a disciplinary investigation into the doctor, without naming in which province the invstigation is underway.
It added that it would closely follow the legal and disciplinary proceedings in line with its responsibility to defend medical ethics, scientific principles and human rights.
Female genital mutilation
Female genital mutilation involves the partial or total removal of external female genitalia, or other injury to the organs, without medical justification.
The practice severely violates bodily integrity and human rights.
According to World Health Organization and UNICEF data, more than 230 million women and girls worldwide have undergone the procedure.
It is most prevalent in parts of Africa, including Somalia, Egypt, Sudan, Guinea, Djibouti, Mali and Ethiopia. It is also practiced in Middle Eastern countries such as Iraq and Yemen, and in Southeast Asian countries including Indonesia and Malaysia.
The procedure is often justified through cultural, traditional or religious misconceptions. It can cause severe bleeding, infections, infertility, psychological trauma and fatal complications during childbirth.
(EMK/VK)
