When you go back to the origin of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), you will find out that it has its origin from Egypt. Additionally, some parts of Africa, Middle East and South East Asia do have their women mutilated in regards to certain cultural belief. In the same way, the practice is common in countries like Nigeria, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Indonesia, India, Iran amongst others.
Female Genital Mutilation is interchangeably referred to as female Genital Alteration or Female circumcision. Millions of women have been affected by this unpleasant cultural act, which has in some ways affected them. The distinctive effect of Female Circumcision and male circumcision makes the act absolutely different.
What is Female Genital Mutilation
Female Genital Mutilation has to do with all the procedures that involves the partial or total removal of the external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organ for non-medical reasons.
Female Genital Mutilation has four types or procedures which includes:
- Only Prepuce removal, or Prepuce removal and partial or total removal of the clitoris.
- Total removal of the clitoris and a portion of or all of the labia minora (known as excision)
- Removal of a portion or all of the labia minora and the labia majora, sewn together to cover the urethra and virginal. A small opening that can allow the out flow of urination and menstruation is left.
- The other harmful procedures for non-medical purposes includes incising, scraping, piercing, pricking and cauterizing.
Purpose of The Female Genital Mutilation
Understandably, many countries that practice the Female Genital Mutilation, have reasons why they engage in it. For instance, those who practice it refer to it as a cultural act that has some traditional beliefs from inception. In some parts of Africa, it is almost a sin to not take your female child who is of age for circumcision, for this reason, female Children as young as 0 day old are circumcised, damning the possibility of bleeding that may result to death.
To summarize, there are several purposes why this act started. Accordingly, people who are from regions where female circumcision is practiced, accept it for some reasons which may include:
- To confirm one’s cultural identity.
- As a transitional ritual to becoming an adult member of the society.
- To avoid being banned from their society.
- To improve the hygiene of a woman.
- To increase the possibility of conception.
- To minimize the act of masturbation.
- To control the sexual drive of women.
Effect of Female Genital Mutilation
To illustrate the unavoidable effect of Female Genital Mutilation, some African societies impose its practice on families. Also, some traditional African societies demands that the female child must be brought by her mother for genital alteration. Additionally, there is a stage of development that is right for the alteration to take place. Also, there is a penalty when a family fails to bring the child for the genital alteration.
However, there have been many records of some negative physical sexual and psychological impact on women who experienced any of the procedures of Female Genital Mutilation.
- Women circumcised don’t get horny.
- They engage in sex, only to satisfy their partner. Reaching orgasm is a problem most times.
- Sex is not pleasurable, it is usually painful.
- It is almost impossible to get sexually aroused.
- Most of the women experience severe bleeding.
- Some of the women bleed to death. Most records of FGM that led to death was experienced by infants and adolescents.
- Problems urinating.
- Complications in child’s birth.
- Swelling of the virginal tissues.
- FGN ooens women to infections
- Depression
Conclusion
In conclusion, about 200 to 250million girls are victims of Female Genital Mutilation and it has soberly affected many women in many different ways. Certainly, the practice is a complete violation of human rights and many women now understand that the act is barbaric. Furthermore, records from the most recent years have the Female Genital Mutilation, moving towards its decline. Many societies have seen a need to stop imposing the act because of its negative effects. There are many disadvantages in the practice and it should therefore be abolished.
