The unknown reality of female ablation in Catalonia
In recent years, the debate on female genital mutilation has gained relevance, but its presence in Catalonia has gone unnoticed by many. A report recently revealed that, despite the 17 documented cases of ablation in the last decade, the Mossos d’Esquadra have registered 120 attempts in this practice. This discrepancy between the reported cases and the attempts indicates that the problem is wider than it seems.
The figures that speak for themselves
Catalonia, with its various counties, presents an alarming reality. The regions with the highest concentration of African communities, such as the Maresme and the Vallès Occidental, are the most ablation cases. This situation leads us to reflect on the need for greater visibility and resources to face this problem.
A voice silenced
The silence that surrounds these practices is worrying. In many cases, they are not reported, either by the fear of cultural retaliation or social pressure. Thus, a vicious circle is generated that perpetuates violence against women, including forced marriages.
The political reaction to the unacceptable
The situation has caused the outrage of the Catalan PP, who has criticized the reaction of the feminist groups who, according to them, did not address this alarming data. Alejandro Fernández, the leader of the party, expressed his frustration in what he considers a distraction from the real problem, while Lorena Roldán has pointed out the inaction of feminists in defending women suffering from these violence.
A call to action
These statements have opened a debate on the responsibility of institutions and society in the fight against female genital mutilation. The situation demands a collective response and a review of equality policies that really approach the problems that women affect, instead of focusing on secondary issues.
An uncertain future
The fight against female genital mutilation in Catalonia is a challenge that requires immediate attention. With the increasing number of cases of sexual assault in the region, society faces the need for a paradigm shift that puts women’s voices at the center of political and social action.