Nine women in Ivory coast were sentenced to two years of imprisonment for allegedly carrying out female circumcision (genital mutilation). In a sensational move, the local court gave this verdict and this happens to be first ever punishment awarded for genital mutilation. Jean-Luc Molo, the official of Justice ministry has said that the courts earlier found several women guilty for carrying out such hapless acts, but then the courts were pressurized from local communities, which hindered them from awarding punishments.

Addressing the media on the details of the convicts, Jean-Luc Molo said nine women belonged to Katiola town. They allegedly conducted circumcisions on several women over a period of time. He has, however, said the number of girls and their ages who underwent genital mutilation couldn't be ascertained.

It may be noted that the law of land prohibits people from indulging in genital mutilation. It has been banned since 1998 based on the directions of the United Nations.

(AW Phani)