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Patrick X Disney  07/08/2006 08:20:08 AM  From  DB/Inbox:  Patrick X 
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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 
 
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Summary 
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¶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. 
 
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Taking Some Action 
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¶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." 
 
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Comment 
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¶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