Female Genital Feminism: Should There Have Universal Human Rights?

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), also known as female genital cutting (FGC) and female circumcision, is the removal of part or the entire external female genitalia or any injury to the female genital organ with no medical reasoning. The practice of circumcision is entrenched in gender inequality and efforts to control women’s sexuality. It is believed to bring about honor, purity, and cleanliness; however, FGM/FGC is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women. It reflects deep-rooted inequality between the sexes, and constitutes an extreme form of discrimination against women. It is nearly always carried out on minors and is a violation of rights of children. The practice also violates a woman’s right to

The WHO concluded that “female genital mutilation can adversely affect birth outcomes” and that “an additional one to two babies die per 100 deliveries as a result of the practice” in Africa (Australian National University). However, future problems aren’t necessarily the biggest issue. Female Genital Mutilation procedures are unnecessary medical procedures that put women in a state of discomfort and they are very dangerous. There are many consequences to FGM including, but not limited to, “scarring, infertility, painful sexual intercourse, rupture of the vaginal walls, chronic uterine and vaginal infections, bladder incontinence, dysmenorrheal and obstruction of the flow of menstrual blood” (Skaine 23). In places where FGM is illegal, such as Segal, the procedures have not ceased to exist. Therefore, women and girls are often undergoing Female Circumcisions from unlicensed doctors and sometimes with unsterile equipment. Even if nothing goes wrong physically, there is a risk of psychological and social trauma. According to a WHO study in Sudan, FGM may leave lasting psychological effects. This study concluded that many women feel incomplete and they are more likely to have anxiety and depression (27). Ultimately, there is no positive effect on the female anatomy or psyche from FGM.

Koso-Thomas who used both etic and emic research methods while studying believes the support could come from the benefits they believe they receive or for a lack of knowing about their rights and health (218). Either way their support is shown by how they vote to keep the practice alive in Sierra Leone. Another thing to know is that the woman who do this for their child aren’t doing it with ill intent, they simply believe it is what’s best for them. For some this practice is a way to insure the control over females’ sexual behavior. It is also a way of maintaining purity until marriage and monogamy once married. In Sierra Leone “circumcision” is just the process of becoming a man or woman. FGM isn’t exactly a religious requirement but religions endorse it with a ceremony held for the genital alteration. And it is embedded and embraced by many African women. It is a step toward adulthood and marriage as well (219). In fact, circumcising both girls and boys is a way of treating them equal by starting their adult life’s in similar ways. It’s not very often that a male will get involved in the females’ operation and many men don’t know a lot about it. While, some do show financial and moral support for the practice the women are the ones who control the ceremony and embrace all that come with it

The author of this article is Nigeen Akram. She was a volunteer who wanted to go to Iraq and study what was going on with Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). She interviewed a girl named Payam. She was a victim of FGM. All her life she wondered why her mother and grandmother did this to her. Her experience alone was terrifying not to mention the main procedure. This can give people insight on what is happening with females today. FGM is still around and many people still do it.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), also known as female circumcision, is practiced in Africa and in the Middle Eastern part of the world. FGM has been overlooked by a multitude of people because it is considered a religious practice. FGM can lead to many serious long-term physical complications. A Kurdish girl, Payam, and her little sister were forced by their mother to undergo FGM; their experience had a ghastly effect on them. Nothing could ever compare to the pain they had to face when being circumcised. This practice dates back two thousand years ago.

Female Genital Mutilation is a prevalent custom for many cultures across the African continent, and it has affected 140 million girls and women worldwide. The amount of damage afflicted depends on which type of FGM is undergone. A small prick, scratch, and other non-invasive forms of symbolic circumcision should be viewed as merely ‘bad’ practices in these communities because they “restrict the basic liberties of their members.” There are minor health consequences of procedures like clitoridectomy and excision, and women are often times forced to have these done in order to enter into womanhood or to fit the social norm. On the other hand, more extreme and oppressive forms of mutilation such as infibulation are altogether a violation of human

Countless young girls and women from Middle Eastern countries are well acquainted with the outdated culture and tradition of female genital mutilation or cutting. Most are so young when the procedure is performed they lack a clear understanding of their culture or the gynecological complications that will follow them into adulthood. Female circumcision, female genital mutilation (FGM), and/or cutting is practised in over 25 countries located in the most rustic areas of eastern, north-eastern, and western parts

Female genital mutilation (FGM) occurs when women are involuntary chosen to be circumcised at a very young age. “I have so many problems, with my husband, and childbirth,” she told NBC, withholding her real name to protect her identity (Horrific Taboo). Thirty four year old Marie Smith of New York was a victim of genital mutilation and still suffering. When she was only two years old, a woman in her village in Africa cut off her clitoris and labia (End FGM). “At least two million girls face the risk of genital mutilation, most of whom are between the ages of 2 and 8 years old” (Women INC 48). Female mutilation is an illegal, dangerous, and destructive practice that is supported due to false beliefs, culture, and tradition.

In today's society there are several ancestral rituals that are still carry out and many of them affect the natural development of individuals and their behaviour. An example of these rituals is female genital mutilation, which according to the World Health Organization (WHO) the Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) consists of procedures to remove total or partially the female genitalia for non-medical reasons and it has been practiced for several thousands years. FGM is considered a cultural and religious tradition and specific groups in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East practice it; and according with the UNICEF and WHO statistics, these countries concentred more than 80% of the total circumcised women. FGM needs to be eliminated because is

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a cultural belief that over years has been practiced in Asia, the Middle East and over 28 countries in Africa. It is estimated over 150 million girls and women worldwide have been subjected to FGM. Also about 2 million girls are at risk everyday with the highest prevalence rate of about 97% in Somalia. FGM origin is specifically not known, but it has been practiced among different cultures, from Asia, the Middle East, some Australian aboriginal tribes and many African societies with Somalia being the leading country in most FGM reported cases. For this reason, let’s examine what the prevalence rate of FGM among women aged 15 and over in Somalia are and the estimated numbers of girls aged under 15 who are at risk of FGM. The Committee of Bioethics in the article female genital mutilation made a permission statement which suggest an ‘’appeal to health practitioners, especially pediatricians on how to encourage their patients, especially mothers, to educate their families on the dangers associated with FGM; to refrain from subjecting their girls to such

Female Genital Mutilation is a very large issue in many countries around the world. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) “refers to all procedures including partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons” (WHO, 1). There are four types of FGM, but type I and II are the most common for women and children to partake in. There are about 100-140 million girls and women who are subjected to this harmful practice around the world” (WHO, 1). This practice has been a part of the cultural norms of many societies since the pre-colonial time and is still a major issue for the countries that participate in this harmful practice.

Female Genitalia mutilation (FGM) includes the cutting to female genital organs for non-medical reasons. The procedure is common in some African and Middle Eastern countries that practice FGM usually as a cultural custom. Commonly, the procedure is performed on girls as a rite of passage and a way to keep a woman faithful to her husband. Women are seen as unclean if they have not undergone the surgery, and therefore it can be difficult for them to find a husband . According to the World Health Organization, Africa has the greatest number of FGM cases where between around 125 million have undergone the painful surgery (see appendix A) . The surgery is extremely painful especially when considering the absence of anesthesia . In addition, the procedure is often done with unsanitary tools and can have horrible health effects on the women including blood loss, infections and pregnancy problems. FGM violates several rights listed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights including “no one has the right to hurt or torture you”, “right to be free from gender discrimination”, and the “right to life and physical integrity” .

Some may argue that the after effects of female genital mutilation (FGM) are not new. I hope that my research into the origin of this practice will help the public health community understand how it can help these women and eradicate this practice. For everything that has a beginning, most of the time, has an end.

This paper presents the international community’s efforts to eliminate the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Egypt. The procedure is perceived as a violation of basic human rights and as such, efforts have been made to raise awareness to its damages, illegalize it and to create successful interventions to eliminate it (Shell-Duncan, 2008). The paper focuses on the issue of FGM in Egypt since Egypt shows a high rate of women having gone through the procedure (Boyle, Songora & Foss, 2001). As the risk factors and the possible issues are identified, a locally based solution is suggested as an appropriate and effective intervention. The case of Egypt points out a controversial issue of cultural values vs. universal values and the

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), otherwise known as female circumcision, is a traumatic procedure performed on women and young girls, primarily in Eastern parts of the world. Among these parts, it is most common in North-Eastern, Eastern, and Western Africa, parts of the Middle East, and South East Asia. By destroying the external female genitalia, a woman cannot produce sexual desires. This approach assures that a girl will remain abstinent and a virgin until marriage. Although is has been kept a private issue, organizations such as Tostan are trying to reach out to communities and teach about the harmful effects of these cuttings. FGM survivors are trying to spread awareness as well. Depending on the severity of mutilation, short and long term ramifications can result. This can make the women affected physically and psychologically scarred. It is not only important to spread awareness, but to enforce harsher laws and put an end to social ostracism.