COMMISSION ON tHE STATUS OF WOMEN

Topic Summary

Female Genital Mutilation is a critical global health issue as well as a violation of women’s human rights. The practice, which involves the partial or total removal of female genitalia, is most prevalent in Africa and the Middle East. According to the World Health Organization, more than 200 million women and girls worldwide have been subject to FGM, with more than 3 million girls estimated to be at risk of FGM annually. FGM has been proven to have no health benefits; in fact, it has been shown to have extreme conplications for women including excessive bleeding, infection, and even death. Though it vary from region to region, FGM is considered a social norm in certain parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly as a means to control sexuality and promote premarital virginity and marital fidelity in young girls. Effective solutions require a thorough understanding of the sociocultural reasonings for FGM, as well as a cultural-sensitive and community-centered approach. Eliminating Female Genital Mutilation in sub-Saharan Africa is crucial for maintaining the bodily autonomy and human rights of girls and women around the world. 

Director’s Letter

Dear Delegates,

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Commission on the Status of Women for the 2024 session of Harvard National Model United Nations! I am honored to serve as your

Director, and I look forward to our teamwork and problem-solving over the coming months.
My name is Arsema Aklog and I am a rising sophomore at Harvard College. I am pursuing a Sociology concentration with a secondary in Global Health & Health Policy and reside in Pforzheimer House. I have been involved in Model United Nations since the 6th grade, and have over 8 years of experience as a delegate, chair, director, and Secretariat! Though I have had vast experience in dozens of different MUN committees, the Commission on the Status of Women, the World Health Organization, Third Committee, and the United Nations Development Program remain my favorites. Last year, I had the honor of serving as an Assistant Director for HNMUN’s Commission on the Status of Women and I am delighted to return this year as your director. I look forward to using my extensive Model United Nations experience to create a welcoming, enriching, and rewarding committee experience for you all.

Aside from MUN, I am very involved with the Harvard Eritrean and Ethiopian Student Association, where I serve as secretary, as well as the Harvard College Consulting Group, where I am an Analyst. I also serve as an Ambassador for the Harvard Global Health Institute. In my free time, I love to crotchet, cook Ethiopian food, and go to the beach with my friends. This summer, I will be working as a communications intern for the American Civil Liberties Union of San Diego & Imperial Counties.

I have long been passionate the intersection of social justice, sustainability, and global health, which is why I am grateful for the opportunity to center this year’s CSW topic on a topic very important to me: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Sub-Saharan Africa. According to the World Health Organization, more than 200 million women and girls worldwide have been subject to FGM, with more than 3 million girls estimated to be at risk of FGM annually. I look forward to your thoroughly researched, culturally-sensitive, and respectful discussions in committee.

I am here for you every step of the way, from the early stages of your research to the closing remarks of our final session. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions or concerns, and I look forward to engaging with you all!

Sincerely,

Arsema Aklog