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| Female Genital Mutilation |
Overview
Female genital
mutilation (FGM) includes all intentional processes and procedures that alters
or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons but
associated with norms and believe. FGM is mostly carried out on young girls ranging
from infant till about 15 years of age; it is unsafe, risky and detrimental to
the health of the girls.
Over 200 million
women and girls have been mutilated in about 30 different countries mainly
Africa, Asia and Middle East. These processes most time cause infections, bleeding,
problem with childbirth and in some cases causes newborn death. It is a wrong
thing to do to any women for whatsoever reason as it is risky dangerous and can
adversely alter the health and lifestyle of the girl. The danger associated
with Female Genital Mutilation is far greater than any possible intending
benefits associated with the procedure; it is risky, inhumane and can lead to
death.
Who is at risk of FGM?
Girls and women
are at risk of female genital mutilation. The most affected are usually between
a day old and 15 years old. This is most common in Africa, Asia and Middle
East. More than 3 million girls are at risk of FGM annually. In about 30 countries
of the world where FGM is been practiced about 200 million girls and women are
affected.
Why is Female Genital Mutilation Performed?
Places where
female genital mutilation is performed have several reasons for their actions,
here are some reasons why FGM is been done:
-Sociocultural factors-
Social norms and
cultural factors has been associated with FGM in communities and locality where
the act takes place.
The perceptions
had been built over time due to social pressure and the believe that others had
been doing it, so it is a matter of culture and social norms that it should be
done.
-Pressure and fear of Rejection-
Communal pressure
and fear of rejection for not practicing what had been done for many years is
the major reason why many people succumb to the practice. FGM had been set as a standard for marriage
and adulthood. The fact that FGM I widely done, accepted and not criticized
made it a duty for parents to surrender their girl-child.
-Beliefs and perceptions-
FGM is often
considered as a major part of parenthood I raising a girl for marriage, this
has become a strong motivation for parents backed by beliefs of an acceptable
sexual behavior that improves cleanliness and enhance beauty. It aims to ensure
premarital virginity and marital fidelity by reducing woman sexual urge and
therefore reduce extramarital affairs.
Types of Female Genital Mutilation
The procedures
associated with Female Genital Mutilation is classified into four (4) different
types:
-Type 1-
The type 1 Female
Genital Mutilation is the partial or total removal of the clitoris, this is
often called clitoridectomy. The female clitoris is small organ and part of the
female genitalia that is responsible and associated with sexual pleasure, it is
small, sensitive and often erect during stimulation. Most type 1 clitoridectomy
associated with female genital mutilation alters the sensitivity of the female
genital this most times alters their sex life and lifestyle.
-Type 2-
The type 2 female
genital mutilation is often referred to as excision. This is associated with
partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora "the inner
part of the vulva".
The type 2 female
genital mutilation sometimes can also include the removal of the outer fold of
the vulva called the labia majora. This procedure is painful, wicked and causes
the girl to lose blood and sometimes leads to infection and death.
-Type 3-
Female genital
mutilation type 3 is a little different from both type 1 and type 2. This
procedure is the narrowing of the vagina opening by creating a covering this is
done by repositioning the labia majora and labia minora, with or without the
removal of the clitoris. This is most time calls infibulation, it is painful
with lots of health problems associated with it such as sexual intercourse and
childbirth.
The problem
associated with this procedure can be medically amended when it become
dangerous and life threatening by deinfibulation,
a process of cutting open the narrow or seal vagina opening.
-Type 4-
Female genital
mutilation type 4 are different types of procedure on the female vagina or
associated organs that are not to medical purposes. Procedures like
cauterizing, incision, scraping and pricking.
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| Types of Female Genital Mutilation |
Risks associated with Female Genital Mutilation
No health
benefits, only harm when it comes to female genital cutting, it causes a lot of
harms to women and girls ranging from bleeding, infection problem during
childbirth, sexual problems and sometimes death. FGM has no health benefits, it
damages a healthy and normal female genital tissue, and interferes with the
natural functions of girls' and women's bodies.
Immediate risk associated with FGM.
There are number
of imminent risks associated with FGM:
-Infections
-Excessive
-Genital tissue
swelling
-Urinary problems
-Death.
Long Consequences of Female Genital Mutilation
-Urinary problems
-Vaginal problems
-Menstrual problems
-Sexual problems
-Increased risk of
childbirth complications
-Psychological
problems
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| Prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation by Regions and countries |
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