Female Genital Mutilation Research Paper

FGM are “procedures which involve partial or total removal of external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital or organs for non-medical reasons” World Health Organisation (2016) and encompasses four different forms: Clitoridectomy (removal of clitoris), excision (removal of clitoris and labia minora and with/without the labia majora), infibulation (narrowing of the vaginal opening) and other non-medical harmful procedures i.e. piercing (NHS 2016). Girls and women can be vulnerable to FGM due to their age as FGM is largely carried out on young girls, the association that FGM is a cultural tradition and it is expected for all girls and women to have FGM within these communities and a lack of education for

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 genital mutilation, also known as female circumcision, is a practice that involves the removal of part or all of the female external genitalia. It occurs throughout the world, but most commonly in Africa where they say that it is a tradition and social custom to keep a young girl pure and a married woman faithful. But to some Westerners, the practice is viewed as being primitive and barbaric. We react with disgust and find it nearly incomprehensible that female genital mutilation can occur in the world today

The World Health Organization, also known by the acronym WHO, has defined female genital mutilation as “procedures that intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.” FGM (acronym for female genital mutilation) is highly prevalent in Africa and the Middle East. An estimated 200 million and counting have been victims of this practice (UNICEF New York, 2016). In the past 20 years the tradition of female circumcision has received a lot of attention from the public and mass media and has been at the center or controversial debate (Kalev, 2004). Why? Because female circumcision is extremely detrimental to a female’s health as it causes long-term and short-term health complications and psychological damage to the victim. This research paper will discuss these topics and reassure the reader that female genital mutilation has and serves no benefits and is ultimately a violation of human rights.

The world health organization defines FGM as ‘all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons’. (World Health Organisation 2016) FGM is a tradition deeply rooted and practiced in Africa, Asia and the middle east by specific ethnic groups. It is for the most part performed on children and as such is recognised as a violation of human rights and the rights of a child. (Creighton, 2015)

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.

The practice of female circumcision is happening in areas across the globe such as Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The United states and Serval others counties look at this as a vicious act of genital mutilation and an outright human rights violation (Clay, 2017, p.g.22). The practice of female circumcision has gone on for years as a cultural rite of passage in some countries. Other countries see it as a religious belief and others see it as a way to make their daughter more desirable for a husband The author reports that even through in the United States that many women more than half a million are still at risk of having their genital cut from the CDC reports in 2012 (Clay, 2017,

The term “mutilation” meaning “to cut up or alter radically so as to make imperfect” (Meriam Webster) suggests that the act is purposefully ruining the female intimate body parts in an attempt to make it unfunctional. Many human rights arguments are made against the process, which ignore the cultural background by viewing it from the outside. Western feminists outline the practice in a way which suggests uncivilized actions (Korieh, 2005).Medically, female circumcision poses many long term problems. In regards to infibulation, such as that performed in Somalia and Sudan, the clitoris and labia minora is removed and the labia majora being stitched closed. A reed is often needed to create an opening for mistral blood and urine to flow. Upon healing, the scar tissue complicates intercourse and childbirth. During childbirth, the scar is often recut to allow passage of the fetus. To make matters worse, these excisions are often performed without anesthetics and are

Female Genital Mutilation, is a topic which has caused many controversies worldwide. Female Genital Mutilation is a tradition since antiquity, which occurs in twenty eight countries in Africa, and among certain communities in the Middle East, and Asia. The latitude of this issue is massive. The United Nations estimates that this practice has been performed on about 140 million females, who encounter immediate complications of shock, infections, damage to the urethra, scar formation, tetanus, bladder infections, HIV, along with long -term complications that lead to death (Lauren V, 2011). It is estimated that 3 million girls are at risk annually! During this paper, I will discuss in depth the two ethical theories (Deontology and Utilitarianism). These ethical theories will be a guide, to help understand the moral issues of Female Mutilation, and whether one can view female mutilation to be right or wrong. Aside from the ethical theories, I

Intermediate (or excision) includes the removal of the entire clitoris, clitoral prepuce, and some or all of the labia minora and often some or all of the labia majora. Infibulation is one of the most severe kind of FC/GM, it includes the first two procedures and then partial closing the vaginal opening by joining the raw tissue on the two sides together so that scar tissue forms across the vaginal opening. The other can include that does any damage to the genital area including piercings, etc.("Female Circumcision"). The procedure is usually done by a female family member and sometimes even by a stranger. Doctors hardly ever did this procedure, which means nothing is sanitized and they did not use professional equipment. Broken glass and razor blades are used to perform the procedure. Many girls die after or during the procedure due to shock, hemorrhaging, or infection. It is very painful and girls are not given any anesthetics. Herbs, animal fat, dung, or other substances are applied to the wound after the operation to prevent excessive bleeding and infection; which cause more infections. Many years after, girls are faced with complications and pain with urination, menstruation and

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.

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.

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is commonly referred to as female circumcision. The process of FGM involves altering the clitoris, sometimes removing it partially or entirely. FGM is a social construction practiced by a myriad of countries, although no construction is absolutely universal for every culture. For my multicultural paper am going to discuss in detail, the historical orientation of FGM. Additionally I will compare and contrast the practices of FGM versus the western version of male circumcision through a religious lens.

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.