Female genital mutilation
Isabella Acua, Miracle Bui, Kayla Burton, and Perla Luna
What is female genital mutilation?
Female genital mutilation, or FGM, is the practice of removing all or
part of the external female genitalia through cutting. It is a tradition
for many cultures and religions. Many countries have banned it,
although most dont enforce the ban.
Female genital mutilation is also referred to as circumcision and
cutting.
The 4 different types
Clitoridectomy: partial or total removal of the clitoris (a small,
sensitive and erectile part of the female genitals) and, in very
rare cases, only the prepuce (the fold of skin surrounding the
clitoris).
Excision: partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora,
with or without excision of the labia majora
Infibulation: narrowing of the vaginal opening through the creation of
a covering seal. The seal is formed by cutting and repositioning
the inner, or outer, labia, with or without removal of the clitoris.
Other: all other harmful procedures to the female genitalia for nonmedical purposes, e.g. pricking, piercing, incising, scraping and
cauterizing the genital area.
Where is FGM practiced?
Typically, FGM is practiced in rural
areas, especially in Africa, where
more than 27 countries practices
FGM and the Middle East. Migrant
communities in North America,
Europe, and Australia also practice
FGM.
How many women are affected by
FGM?
An estimated 100 million to 140 million girls and women alive today have been
subjected to FGM. These women are predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa and
the middle east.
Who performs FGM?
FGM is usually carried out by elderly women in the community or by traditional birth
attendants. They are often community leaders and well-respected for doing this.
In some cases, medical professionals perform FGM. A worldwide average of one in five
girls subjected to FGM were cut by a trained health-care provider, but in some countries it
can reach as high as three in four girls. Countries where the majority of FGM cases are
performed by health workers are Egypt, Sudan, Kenya, Nigeria, and Guinea.
Can FGM be safe if done by medical
professionals?
FGM can never truly be safe, even if done by skilled doctors in a
hygienic environment with all the right tools. While there is less of a
risk of hemorrhaging and bleeding to death, there is no way to
prevent the psychological and long-term effects. Medicalizing FGM
gives a false sense of security, and can actually end up being more
dangerous.
Why is FGM practiced?
Many proponents of female genital mutilation claim that it will control a
womans sexual urges, make her obey her parents and husband, keep them
chaste, and make them more religious and pure. This is obviously not true,
as mutilation to external body parts has no effect on the hormones and libido.
Indonesian clerics and other advocates for FGM claim that it is a requirement
for muslim women, although is is not required in muslim law and is not
mentioned anywhere in the Quran.
FGM is also seen as a social norm in some places. Since its been a tradition
for so long, its now expected. There is a lot of stigma around uncut girls and it
can be hard for them to get a job, get married, or lead a normal life.
Who is FGM mainly practiced on?
Female genital mutilation is practiced
mainly on pre-pubescent girls. Many people
circumcise their daughters within two
months of birth, but some wait until the
age of 12 or 13.
Typically, most FGM are performed by
traditional excisors, some countries, though
have medical personnel to perform FGM but
its not as common, especially, rural areas.
Most FGM procedures occurs at patients
house, not a medical facility.
What are the effects of FGM?
Immediate effects:
severe pain, severe
bleeding and
significant blood
loss, hemorrhaging,
shock, trauma, and
risk of dying due to
blood loss.
Short term effects:
infections, formation of
scar tissue, chronic pain,
anemia, chronic
infections, development
of cysts, abscesses and
genital ulcers, excessive
scar tissue formation,
and extremely painful
intercourse
Long-term effects:
Urinary and menstrual
problems, infertility,
need for surgery, painful
sexual intercourse,
formation of scar tissue,
and complications
during childbirth.
Psychological problems
such as depression,
anxiety, and PTSD.
Our stances: Is FGM necessary?
Throughout our group, our stances are unanimous that FGM is not
necessary and should not be practiced under any circumstances.
FGM is believed to keep girls pure seeing as most countries views
that the only thing unmarried girls can bring into a marriage is her
virginity. FGM doesnt control hormones or libido. For instance, Hirsi
Ali underwent FGM at the age of 5, it didnt stop her from developing
sexual urges and led her to having a incentous relationship with her
cousin, which took her many weeks to recover. FGM is rather
counteractive of purposes such as childbearing, FGM has the effect of
infertility and can lead to difficult labor as the scar tissues from FGM
are not stretchable.
Video
Learn more
Half the sky documentary
Sources
http://www.endfgm.eu/en/female-genital-mutilation/what-is-fgm/effects-offgm/
http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/04/female-genital-mu
tilation-cutting-anthropologist/389640/
Documentary: Half the Sky
