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Problems of Female Genital Mutilation

Bassey

Member
It is said that about three million women suffer from female genital mutilation (FGM) annually. Sadly, as a norm, the consent of the woman is never sought before she is circumcised.

The problems that FGM inflict on the woman have a direct or indirect side effect on society generally. And has attracted global concern and legislation.

Female genital mutilation is also known as female circumcision or female genital cutting. What does it mean? It is a procedure performed on a girl or woman to alter or partially cut off part of her external genitalia for non-medical reasons.

Globally, female circumcision is seen as a violation of girls' and women’s fundamental human rights. Across cultures and traditional backgrounds, reasons behind the practice of female circumcision vary.

In some instances, it is seen as a rite of passage from girl to womanhood. Whilst others see it as a means to suppress a woman’s sexuality.

But is female genital mutilation risky for girls and women? The answer is yes! Female circumcision often leads to long-term psychological consequences and has no medically ascertained health good in the woman.

Like in most African countries which is a land of superstitions, In Africa, many communities practice the act with the belief that circumcising the woman will save her future marriage and family dignity. that they are told to believe without any scientific backings

In some cases, others claim that female circumcision is practiced to protect the tribal culture and the prevention of promiscuity, hygiene, then family honor

And best to protect the girl child's virginity and chastity, and purification. For some other reason, it is said that an uncircumcised woman cannot claim the inheritance of a property, so by this single act, thousand to million Africa female children are ruled out from the inheritance

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Despite the global outcry by women and women activists to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), the practice is still held tenaciously amongst some tribes across Africa and ex where in the world.

Whereas, the procedure has no medically proven health benefit whatsoever in women.

The practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) differs across tribes, religions, and from country to country. Circumcising the woman also comes with medical complications including severe pain, bleeding, infection, infertility, and even death in some cases.

It is also said to increase the risk of HIV transmission, depression, as women who have undergone genital cutting have psychological trauma that could lead to anxiety and severe depression.


Female circumcision has no relationship with religion. In other words, both Muslims and Christians indulge in the act.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is not so related to religion per se. it is more regarded as a tribal traditional practice, culture, and belief system of a specific people.

Science has long ago opposed the practice and organization such as The World Health Organization (WHO) firmly urges healthcare givers not to Perform Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), the affirmation was given globally

While the practice is often carried out by traditional circumcisers. They often play other central roles in the community e.g attending childbirths and many others

The problems of female circumcision are:

  • Female circumcision causes serious injury that can be life-threatening to the woman – the first thing that girls face when they’re cut is severe bleeding (hemorrhage). It could lead to death when the bleeding is too much.

Some women faint or suffocate for hours during the act. It is also said that some women are at risk of infection and tetanus while they are circumcised.

  • Female genital mutilation causes lifetime health complications in women – during menstruation, women who are circumcised always experience severe difficulty and pain. Some often feel pain during urination and sexual intercourse.

It also inflicts the woman with scare and tissue damage.
Women who are have undergone infibulation – where the labia are cut and sewn together to drastically narrow the vaginal opening have to be cut open again to enable sexual intercourse and childbirth. Now you can imagine the pain!

  • Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) can cause life-threatening childbirth complications – the risk of prolonged obstructed labor is heightened for women who have undergone FGM. After female circumcision the scar may not stretch enough to accommodate the newborn, making delivery even more painful than normal.

Several of the countries with a high prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation FGM also have some of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world.

  • Lasting mental health consequences – the psychological implications in women who have been mutilated can be long-lasting and devastating.

It sometimes makes the victims feel betrayed by their parents or family members. The psychological trauma could cause a behavioral issue in those girls with FGM issues.

In conclusion, the removal and damage of female genital tissue interfere with the natural functions of girls’ and women’s bodies. Female genital mutilation has no implicit health good whatsoever, on the girl child or the woman.

The practice is lewd and obscene to contemporary standards. FGM is a barbaric act, savage the other way round. Consequently, it rather harms girls and women in several ways.

This is one practice the entire world, the world leaders should come together and put a finale ends to such practice, ending Female Genital Mutilation will save a lot of our girls child and best will contribute to making our world a better place for all, which we strongly believe is possible

The right time to end the FGM is now, to protect the health and future of women all over the world, female circumcision should stop. Governments and institutions of legislation should enact strict laws to put an end to FGM. Am Bassey, Reporting from World Forum.
 
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