Discussion about Female Vagina Circumcision - Research Paper Example

Female Vagina Circumcision Female circumcision has been a topic of concern among women especially in countries that still hold on to their cultural practices and beliefs which include this act. Female vagina circumcision can be described as the process whereby the external female genitalia are either partially or totally removed (Skaine 47). It is still largely practiced in various parts of the world today though there are a number of organizations that have tried to discourage it such as the World health Organization for a number of reasons with the main one being health concerns. However, this has not deterred others from maintaining this cultural practice, and in such regions it is viewed as a normal rite of passage for a woman that is required when they reach a certain age. These cultures do not do so to harm the woman but believe that it is a main definition between a girl and a mature woman (Momoh 56). It is usually performed on girls who are few days into their puberty stages and in certain regions it is a requirement for any girl who may wish to get married. The act is usually performed without any anesthesia by a traditional circumciser who uses a knife or a razor or sometimes even scissors to remove the female genitalia in question. Apart from being a part of some cultures, it is also a part of some religious beliefs such as some Islam communities based in these regions especially in African countries such as Somali which has a large population of staunch Muslims (Ehrenreich and Hochschild 87). It is mainly practiced in parts of Africa, the Middle East and a number of immigrant communities based in Europe, Australia and America. The practice has been existent for a large number of decades, and scientific discovery in the medical profession was the main force behind groups that have risen in an effort to bring an end to this tradition. Types of Female Circumcision The World Health Organization has classified types of female circumcision into four types that have been categorized according the procedure that takes place. These four types of circumcision are carried out by different cultures and communities and include: Type 1 – This involves the removal of the clitoral hood, or the partial or sometimes total removal of the clitoris itself. The medical term for this procedure is clitoridectomy (Amish, Aisha and Aldo 87). Type 2 – Involves the total or partial removal of the clitoris as well as the inner or outer labia. Different cultures practice different combinations of these procedures such as sole removal of the inner labia or the removal of the inner and/or the outer labia as well as part or all of the clitoral. This type is often referred to as excision (Amish, Aisha and Aldo 87). Type 3 – This type involves the removal of all of the female genitalia. This is to say that both the inner and outer labia is removed and may or may not include the removal of all or part of the clitoris as well (Amish, Aisha and Aldo 89). Once this is done, the girl’s legs are then bound together for a number of days that can go over a month in order to allow the wound to heal. A twig or an object of similar proportions is inserted in the wound to create a small hole that will allow for the passage of urine as well as menstruation once the healing process is complete. This type is commonly referred to as pharaonic circumcision or infibulation. Type 4 – This type categorizes all the other procedures that have not been covered in the previous three (Amish, Aisha and Aldo 103). They may include processes involving scraping, incising, pricking, and cauterization among others. Complications Involving Female Circumcision There are a number of medical complications that women who have undergone female circumcision may experience as a result. Some of these complications may occur immediately while others may be experienced later on after a period of time has elapsed (Skaine 65). They include issues such as infections that may occur as a result of the tools that are used. Most individuals who undergo this procedure do so in a traditional setting which means that the items that are used to perform the procedure have often not been taken through sterilization procedures. This raises the risk of infection when the tolls have not been cleaned properly as open wounds are more prone to get infected when subjected to such scenarios (Momoh 63). Another complication that may occur directly after or during the procedure includes profuse bleeding, especially in those women who undergo the 3rd type of female circumcision. If this is not dealt with effectively, it may even lead to the woman bleeding to death (Momoh 65). The contraction of diseases is also another risk that should be factored into consideration that may occur as a result of the same tools being used on different women without being properly cleaned afterwards. Such diseases that can be contracted from this procedure include HIV and other STDs (Ehrenreich and Hochschild 97). It should be noted that these complications occur as a result of failure to adhere to medical safety and can be avoided by attaining professional assistance in performing the circumcision. Complications that arise at a later date include the formation of scars and Keloids in the affected areas which may lead to obstruction within the urinary and genital tracts (Skaine 90). Damage to the urethra is another complication that can occur later on as a result of urinary infections that were contrived during the procedure. Female circumcision may also lead to the development of complications during child birth as a result of the new formation of the vagina. A woman’s body has been designed to handle pregnancy and child birth effectively so when this structure is tampered with, the process of giving birth may become difficult to handle as a result (Momoh 78). There may also be psychological complications as a result of the procedure as well such as a woman developing the fear of having sex which may affect any potential of developing a romantic relationship with someone. This fear may be due to various reasons such as the fear of the potential pain that may be involved even when that is not the case. Cultural Context of Female Circumcision Female circumcision is practiced by various cultures as it is considered to be part and process of raising the girl child in an appropriate manner. It signifies the passage of the female child from one stage to another where the girl goes from being a girl to becoming a mature woman who is ready for marriage (Lewnes 14). In some cultures, the practice is seen as cleansing for the woman and is described as the removal of unwanted parts of the female body. These parts are often referred to as the “male” parts of the body which according to custom, a grown woman is not supposed to have. Female circumcision is also practiced in a religious context as it discourages any immoral acts on the part of the woman such as their involvement in premarital sex. This is due to the fact that a woman’s libido is significantly reduced as a result of undergoing this procedure (Ehrenreich and Hochschild 134). A girl is also scared of the pain they will experience when re-opening their vagina so to speak through the act of sex and thus it encourages them to remain celibate. The procedure also makes it easy for one to recognize if a woman is a virgin or not because of the formation of the vagina thus this also encourages the woman to avoid premarital sex for the fear of being discovered and the consequences that they will have to face. Sex before marriage is strongly discouraged in many religions and female circumcision is seen as one sure of curbing this act effectively among the younger generation (Amish, Aisha and Aldo 82). A circumcised woman is also able to demand respect within the community especially older ones while those who have not undergone the procedure are looked down upon. In many cultures that perform female circumcision, it is necessary for a woman to undergo this procedure if they have any hope of getting married as this is one of the factors that men look for when searching for a bride. A woman who has not been circumcised is more likely that not to have a hard time getting a man in the community who would be willing to marry her. Female Circumcision in the Post colonial Era Many colonialist especially missionaries discouraged the practice of female circumcision when they colonized the various regions of Africa as it was viewed as ungodly and as a result the act was drastically reduced. However, there were still some communities who continued the practice in secret performing the procedure in remote areas where the colonial authorities were not present (Lewnes 12). After the colonialists left, a number of organizations took over the discouragement of this practice in the modern era and used more practical arguments to do so mostly focusing on the education of communities that were still involved in this practice in a bid to convince them to give up this rite of passage and if possible, replace it with another (Skaine 76). Some of the arguments that are used by these organizations include the violation of human rights, the pain factor as well as medical concerns. In conclusion, the practice of female circumcision can be considered to be one that has past its time as it has been discovered there are more adverse effects than positive ones related to this procedure. However, if one is to persist on practicing it, it should be done in a medically safe environment to negate any risks to the woman’s health. Works Cited Barbara Ehrenreich and Arlie Russell Hochschild. Global Woman: Nannies, Maids, and Sex Workers in the New Economy. Henry Holt and Company, 2004. Dave, Amish J., Sethi, Aisha and Morrone, Aldo. "Female Genital Mutilation: What Every American Dermatologist Needs to Know". Dermatologic Clinics 29 (1), 2011. Lewnes, Alexia (ed). "Changing a harmful social convention: female genital cutting/mutilation", Innocenti Digest, UNICEF, 2005. Momoh, Comfort. Female Genital Mutilation. Milton Keynes: Radcliffe Publishing, 2005. Skaine, Rosemarie. Female Genital Mutilation. North Carolina: McFarland & Company, 2005. Read More