Female Genital Mutilation Research

Throughout history, there has been a controversial argument on whether female genital mutilation should be banned from Africa. Some people describe female genital mutilation or FGM as a violation of women’s rights and others view it as served for a religious purpose having to do with the Islamic holy book, the Qur’an. Female Genital Mutilation is the removal of all or part of the external parts of the female genitalia. There are three different types of FGM; the first type of FGM is the Sunna Circumcision which is the removal of the tip of the clitoris. The second type is Clitoridectomy which is the removal of the entire clitoris and the adjacent labia. The third type is Infibulation which is the removal of the clitoris and the entire labia including the labia majora and minora. After the removal of the entire labia, the joining of the scraped sides are brought together using thorns or catgut, leaving only a small portion open for menstruation and urinating. Africa has the highest rates of FGM being performed. About 100 million women and girls are affected by FGM and at least 3 million girls are at risk undergoing this process every year. FGM is usually carried out by an elderly woman who is paid fees from the family of the girl undergoing this process (P.a.p.-Blog par. 2, 4). Female Genital Mutilation is usually performed on girl between the ages of three and adulthood. According to the UNICEF or United

In an extensive article, by Richard Griffith he reinstates information from the WHO Organization that “It is estimated that 100–140 million girls and women worldwide are currently living with the consequences of female genital mutilation (FGM).” (World Health organization, 2008). It is a horrible practice in which young females between the ages of infant and fifteen years of age, undergo a surgery for the alteration, removal or partial removal of their genitalia for religious or cultural reasoning’s. If that isn’t terrifying enough, understand that this takes place against the will of the receiving party. This is reason by itself, along with many reasons to stands up against FGM, as it should be outlawed entirely. But, before we can establish the barrier between necessary and criminal in discussion with this topic, we must look at the research and history of this practice, and let the statistics speak for its self.

Female circumcision has been a cultural tradition practiced in different parts of the world for many years in order to secure virginity until marriage. In Africa female genital mutilation tradition is a part of the Muslim culture and parts of the Middle East, for the women to be desirable by her husband. (JPEG) Consequently, girls the ages of 4 through 14 are to endure the severe pains of female circumcision in order to not betray their culture and family beliefs. (Ali, 2016) In the US, the estimated number of females between 15 and 49, who are either at risk of genital mutilation or who have already undergone a procedure, has reached more than 500,000, triple the amount reported in the 1990 national census. (Female genital mutilation in the US tripled in 25 years, 2015) This controversial practice performed on females lead advocates to believe that this is a form of female genital mutilation that must come to an end. (Ali, 2016)

FGM is expected to have been preformed for the last 1400 years. The Muslims believe it started during what they call ‘al-gahiliyyah’ (era of ignorance). Parts of Somalia believe you have to have it done to be allegeable for a husband. The men are the ones

The scope of this research is focused only on FGM for among all the kinds/types of mutilation, FGM are the most studied and controversial kind/type of mutilation.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) or a less ethnocentric term Female Circumcision is a form of violence that is approved by the societies in which it is practiced. About 183 million women have undergone such mutilation. The geographic areas of practice include North-East Africa and parts of the Middle East. Although it is illegal in Canada, it is practiced by immigrants from those areas. For the most part, men do not involve themselves in the practice, and its greatest supporters are women in the communities affected. It

In the case of 5 year of Beza undergoing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) at a young age, I believe we should start by revisiting what exactly FGM is before inputting our opinion on this case. What is Female Genital Mutilation? There are three types of FGM that can be performed. The first being Clitoridectomy; is when part or the whole of the clitoris is amputated and the bleeding is stopped by pressure or stitching. The second type is Excision; both the clitoris and the inner lips are amputated. The bleeding is usually stopped stitching, but the vagina is not covered up. Lastly, the third type is infibulation; the clitoris is completely removed. Some or all of the labia minora are cut off, and incisions are made in the labia majora to create a raw surface.

In some cultures, the common practice of Female Genital Mutilation in Africa and the Middle East, are causing concerns amongst these young girls.

The subject of FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) reminds me of the severity of FGM as well as its ties with culture and religion in Ethiopia - my country of origin. The issue personally affects me because it stirs up very unpleasant memories and thoughts. I remembered my oldest female cousins and neighbors going through this kind of practice twenty years ago. I even remember the women who executed the procedure. Like many of the people who carry out female circumcision, this woman was not medically trained to perform the procedure, nor did she use proper medical equipments and anesthesia. The majority of the people who support female circumcision use their religious and cultural values to explain their support for FGM. However, FGM is a brutal practice that exposes women to extreme pain and possible risk

FGM is very risky both physically and psychologically in both the immediate and the long-term. Some of the medical problems include: hemorrhaging, infections, septicemia, shock from the severe pain and loss of blood, risks during childbirth, and in extreme cases, death. Other side effects include: "infertility, cysts and abscesses, urinary incontinence and psychological and sexual problems.” Governments' duty to stop practices like female circumcision is written in international human rights treaties and countries must obey it. FGM is a violation of a human rights, and the process is irreversible.

In certain societies and culture, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a rite of passage and the young girls are aware of the procedure (Nawal, 2008, pp. 135-139). Furthermore, the societies and cultures who partake in this procedure as a rite of passage, religious reasons, so the girls will not be promiscuous before they get married, so the men’s penis does not fall off, and men in certain societies would prefer their wife to be circumcised (Mascia-Lees 2010, pp. 159). Even though certain societies and cultures have their reasoning for performing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), FGM can cause medical, psychological, and pyscho-sexual consequences (Reyners, 2004, pp. 242-251). According to Reyners (2004) most of the girls and women who had Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) type three conducted, they tend to experience heavily affected reproductive and urological functioning. Furthermore, according to Reyners (2004) also recommended if any woman is pregnant and has had any form of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) done, they should be monitored for their safety as well as the infants.

     Female genial mutilation is mainly practiced in the African culture. It is also practiced in Christian, Judaism, Aboriginal, and Islamic cultures. FGM is not religious, but is a social custom (4). In some countries it is almost universal. There are over 30 million women currently living in Nigeria that have been circumcised and 24 million in Ethiopia and Eritrea. Some groups say that 114 to 130 million women worldwide have had the operation. FGM has spread worldwide with immigrants coming from Africa and other nations that accept this practice. It is outlawed in the United States, but the practice is still done. Specialists in Denver, CO reported in 1998 that at least 6,000 immigrants have settled in the area from African countries, which widely practices FGM. Dr. Terry Dunn, director of a women's clinic in that city commented: "I know of one patient where it was clear it was performed in this country." About 4 mutilation cases are seen each year at the clinic (5).

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” .

Sierra Leone, located in West-Africa, is one of the countries where FGM is practiced (textbox 1). Here, prevalence of FGM is about 90%. Types I and II (table 1) are most prevalent, accounting together for about 75%.(DHS 2013)⁠ FGM occurs in all 16 ethnic groups in Sierra Leone, in highest amount in the Temne and

FGM is not only practiced in Africa, but in many other countries particularly those that are Muslim or Islamic faith.