What Is Female Genital Mutilation?

In life, we all make decisions rather they are good, or bad the choices we make will have an impact on our life in the future. Beza is an eleven-year-old girl who lives in an Ethiopian village. In this village, the practice of FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) is being carried out by force on girls who are far too young to make decisions for themselves. So what exactly is Female Genital Mutilation? There are three types of genital cutting that are practiced: the clitoridectomy which requires the removal of part or the whole clitoris to be amputated and the bleeding is stopped by apply pressure or stitches, the excision which requires both the clitoris and the inner lips to be amputated and the bleeding is stopped by stitching, but the vagina

This week's encounter with FGC or Female Genital Cutting disturbed me and my eyes were opened to some of the harsh realities in the world. Everyone in the class was either assigned to be "pro" FGC or against. Based on which side of the argument you were assigned, each side read an article defending that side, and everyone watched the same documentary on a journey of a young woman in Africa leading up to her coming of age ceremony involving genital cutting. Throughout the video, you can tell that FGC is a common and important practice in West African Societies. A teenager named Mary was preparing for the coming of age ceremony, and the nervousness was noticeable. Someone who actually does the cutting was interviewed, and she discussed her livelihood and how there is a certain technique to the practice. Finally the time come for Mary to "become a woman" and the cutting came and went. The ceremony was at the very least hard to watch. The pain was clear in the aftermath, but the celebration continued and Mary seemed fine at the end. Also, a woman named Alice

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

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 is a practice in which external portions of female genitalia are removed for non-medical, cultural reasons. In many countries and cultures, young girls are forced to go through this procedure before getting married, based on the belief that the practice will keep them pure and virgins. This practice, set in place by a patriarchal hegemonic system, controls and decides the lives of any girls in a lot of places. Often times, these lives are ended because the practice is non-medical, not safe, and definitely not even done the right way.

Female genital mutilation (FGM) also known as female circumcision is a tradition passed down from generation to generation occurring all around the world affecting millions of women and young girls. FGM is controversial matter most prevalent in Africa (Ahanonu and Victor, 2014). To this day it’s estimated that about 28 African countries still practice this ritual including Nigeria (Ahanonu and Victor, 2014). In the past twenty years there has been a worldwide increased interest in FGM due to its multiplicity and lifelong effects. Some people believe FGM violates basic human rights where others believe this ritual is required to increase their chances of marriageability and that this practice is a transition from adolescents into adulthood

"I remember the blade. How it shone! There was a woman kneeling over me with the knife. I bit her; it was all I could do. Then three women came to hold me down. One of them sat on my chest. I bit her with all my might." These words reflect Banassiri Sylla’s account of her experience undergoing female circumcision, also known as female genital mutilation (FGM), at the young age of eight in the Ivory Coast. This disturbing description of her struggle makes it hard to understand why any culture could support such a practice. Yet, it is estimated that about 132 million women and girls in about thirty African countries have undergone the same, or at least similar, cultural

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is the partial or complete removal of the external female genitals for cultural rather than medical reasons.

FGM otherwise known as Female Genital Mutilation, is not practiced through religion, belief, or required by some parts of the country; but it's a tradition that many people practice even to this day. FGM is a tradition that

Some communities in the UK have a higher risk of FGM than others. Therefore, it is important to raise awareness about FGM to those risk groups and to professionals, as FGM takes still place with fatal health consequences to the victims. “FGM has deep cultural roots, if a family holds out against the practice this can cause social consequences such, for example, marriage prospects.” (Holland 2015)

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).

What is female genital mutilation or circumcision? According to the World Health Organization, it comprises 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. (WHO, 2014). It is recognized as violation of human rights for young girls and women. The procedure creates inequality between sexes and to the extreme it is discriminatory against women. There are four types of FMG. Type 1 is referred to as clitoridectomy – which is the partial or total removal of the clitoris. Type 2 is referred to as excision – which is the partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, with or without excision of the labia majora. Type 3 is referred to as infibulation – which is the narrowing of the vaginal opening through the creation of a covering seal. Type 4 is referred to as other – like the others it alters the female genitalia without medical purpose like piercing, scraping, pricking and cauterizing. (WHO, 2014). The practice is believed to start in Egypt, but has also been documented by the ancient Romans. The Romans would perform the procedure on their slaves to prevent pregnancy. (N. Toubia, 1994).

FGM originated in Africa. It was, and remains, a cultural, not a religious practice. Female genital mutilation (FGM) is also known as female circumcision is performed on young women before they reach puberty. There are three types of FGM practiced. One is Sunna circumcision in which the tip of the clitoris and/or its covering (prepuce) are removed, Clitoridectomy where the entire clitoris, the prepuce and adjacent labia are removed, and Infibulation (a.k.a. Pharaonic circumcision) which is a clitoridectomy followed by sewing up of the vulva. Only a small opening is left to allow urine and menstrual blood to pass. In all types of FGM, the vagina is sown up until the female is ready to have sexual intercourse

Individuals are entitled to enjoy “the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, ” and FGM takes away a woman’s right to this according to Article 12 of the Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights Covenant. The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women committee has recommended that governments devise health policies that focus on the need of girls and adolescents who have to be subjected to practices like FGM that are significant parts of their culture . It is very important to realize that groups like CEDAW work very hard to combat issues like FGM, but it is difficult when they are fighting against generation old practices. Female genital has many health consequences that come from complications with the procedure. These consequences are not only physical, but psychological as well. FGM most commonly takes place in remote, rural areas by “traditional practitioners” or midwives who have never had formal training. The midwives will often use knives, razors, or broken glass that are not sterile to cut the young girls. Not only with the materials be unsterile, but the procedure is usually performed in unsanitary conditions . Short term complications from the procedure include excessive bleeding, genital tissue swelling, infections, HIV, urination problems, impaired wound healing, and even death. These 8 possible complications are inflicted on young girls and