Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a human rights violation impacting millions of girls and women globally, often rooted in cultural beliefs; learn about its prevalence, procedures, health complications, and the laws against this harmful practice.
Did you know that there’s something called female genital mutilation (FGM) that affects millions of girls and women worldwide? It’s a serious issue, um, and we’re going to take a closer look at it in this post.
- What is Female Genital Mutilation?
- How Widespread is FGM?
- How is FGM Performed?
- What are the Complications of FGM?
- Is FGM Legal?
The aim of this article is to raise awareness about the importance of protecting girls from this crime. Organizations like the United Nations, Vitalo360, Human Rights Watch consider female genital mutilation or cutting a violation of human rights that harms children and women.
What is Female Genital Mutilation?
According to Vitalo360, FGM involves the removal of some or all of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. It’s a form of gender-based violence against women and, sadly, it’s often rooted in cultural or religious beliefs. In societies that practice it, FGM is sometimes seen as a rite of passage, a sign of purity, or a way to control a woman’s sexuality. It’s something that can be passed down through generations—families might be concerned that their daughters won’t be able to find a spouse if they don’t undergo FGM.
How Widespread is FGM?
FGM is practiced in 29 countries across Africa and the Middle East. We’ve noticed it also occurs in some communities in Asia and among immigrant populations in North America and Europe. I remember reading once that it’s more prevalent in certain regions than others, which means, um, it isn’t just one country or culture; it’s diverse, complex and unfortunately, more common than you might think.
In the Arab world, FGM is practiced in 8 countries: Somalia, Djibouti, Egypt, Sudan, Mauritania, Yemen, and Iraqi Kurdistan. UNICEF estimates that over 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone FGM. Without accelerated action, they estimate 15 million more girls will be subjected to this practice by 2030.
How is FGM Performed?
FGM involves cutting or removing female genitalia without any anesthesia or medical reason. Often, it’s performed in unsanitary conditions with unsterilized tools. We’ve seen cases where healthcare professionals perform it, but mostly it is done by people with no medical training.
Undergoing FGM in non-medical settings increases the risk of complications. Taking girls to untrained, secret practitioners exposes them to higher risks, and may involve brutal cutting conditions and could even prove fatal. In less severe cases, a woman can suffer from ongoing pain and trauma to their delicate, intimate areas.
What are the Complications of FGM?
There are no health benefits to FGM, only harm. The consequences can be immediate and long-lasting, impacting a woman’s health throughout her life. According to Human Rights Watch these include:
- Immediate physical health effects: infections, severe pain, bleeding and trauma resulting from the procedure, risk of infections and complications and difficulty urinating after the procedure; while long-term effects can include fistulas, painful intercourse, cysts and infertility issues.
- Impact on sexual health: such as painful sexual relations, reduced sexual pleasure or lack of sensitivity, which can lead to marital issues.
- Psychological issues: can be caused by the pain, trauma and negative memories associated with the procedure, leading to problems relating to mental and sexual health.
- Impact on emotional and mental health: Can include shock, anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares, PTSD.
Is FGM Legal?
The UN opposes FGM citing its damaging long-term impact. Many countries have laws against FGM, and there’s been a global effort to end it. Many countries have specific legislation criminalizing the practice which includes:
On the African continent:
Benin, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, and Sierra Leone.
The penalties for performing FGM in these countries range from three months in prison to life imprisonment, and some countries impose substantial financial penalties, too.
On the Industrialized Countries Level:
Australia, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, France, and 17 states in the United States.
While FGM is often linked to religion, it’s important to know that it isn’t required by any religion. FGM is a violation, a crime, and we need to protect young girls from its dangers. No tradition can justify it.
Key takeaways
- FGM is a violation of human rights with no medical benefits.
- FGM can lead to immediate and long-term health complications.
- Many countries have laws against FGM, but enforcement remains a challenge.
FAQ, Myth & Facts
Is FGM a religious requirement?
No, FGM is not mandated by any major religion. It’s a cultural practice, and claiming religious justification is often a way to perpetuate it.
Is FGM only practiced in Africa?
No, while it’s most common in certain African countries, FGM also occurs in parts of the Middle East, Asia, and among diaspora communities in North America and Europe.
Can FGM be performed safely by a doctor?
No, FGM is harmful regardless of who performs it or where it takes place. There are no health benefits, and it always carries risks.
Isn’t it just a small cut? What’s the big deal?
FGM is *never* “just a small cut.” It’s a serious violation of a girl’s or woman’s bodily autonomy that can have devastating physical, psychological, and emotional consequences for the rest of her life. Minimizing it is dangerous.
Here are a few stories shared from support groups and communities, without revealing any specific details:
“I remember the pain… it was excruciating, and I still have nightmares about it. I want to make sure no other girl goes through what I did.”
“It affected my marriage. I couldn’t enjoy intimacy with my husband. It’s something that has stayed with me my whole life.”
“We need to educate our communities. This practice is harmful, and it needs to stop. Our daughters deserve better.”
That said, after writing this, it’s pretty clear we all have a responsibility to educate ourselves and others about FGM. We need to support organizations working to end this harmful practice, and we need to stand in solidarity with survivors. Girls deserve the chance to be girls, to grow up healthy, and to have control over their own bodies. Right?
