Female Genital Mutilation - Essay Example

? Female Genital Mutilation Female Genital Mutilation The relatively vast practice of female genital mutilation around the world should be dealt with by abolition because of playing with one’s health Female genital mutilation refers to either partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or alternatively other forms of injury caused to the female genital organs which is done for reasons other than medical reasons (Amel, Mawaheb & Ahmed, 2010, p. 187). This act is divided into four different types which include; type I which involves clitoridectomy, Type II which is excision, type III which is infibulation and lastly type IV in which all other harmful procedures to the female genital for reasons that are not medical related. From the statistics provided by the World Health Organization approximate that between 100 and 140 million, both girls and women all over the world have undergone either one form or the other of FGM (World Health Organization, 2000). Additionally, most studies have made postulations that the figure of girls at risk of being circumcised every year all over the world fall between 100 and 3 million. Consequently, the most recent prevalent information indicate that over 91.5 million of both girls and women exceeding the age of nine in the African continent are currently in the process of experiencing the side effects associated with FGM. Despite the practice of FGM being practiced all over the world, it should be as a matter of urgency be abolished (Assad, 1980). Female genital mutilation has for long been identified as an issue concerning both medical, legal and social aspects of the society. Despite the fact that the term Female genital mutilation being coined only recently, the practice has a history that is long and complex (World Health Organization, 2000). Presently, studies show that female genital mutilation still remains predominant amongst many cultures in both Africa and the Middle East though they vary in form and severity mainly due to the different socio-cultural norms and different belief systems (Amel, Mawaheb & Ahmed, 2010, p. 189). Since time immemorial, Female Genital Mutilation has been proven to not only offer, but also provide no benefits at all in terms of health benefits. As a matter of fact, various studies conducted on the issue have come to a conclusion that Female Genital Mutilation is the root cause of numerous both short term and long term health related consequences in addition to other non-health related consequences like child and human rights violation (Julie, 2001). Pursuant to this, it would only be fair if the practice is abolished, thus the relatively vast practice of female genital mutilation around the world should be dealt with by abolition because of playing one’s health (Rahman, & Toubia, 2000). A majority of the literature available to female genital mutilation are against the practice citing numerous reasons amongst which include medical, human rights, legal and also religious arguments. This review will be examining the issue with special interest being placed on the positions held by various international organizations like the UN and WHO in addition to medical, feminist, governmental and non-governmental views advanced throughout the world (World Health Organization, 2000). Female genital mutilation has proved to have severe both medical and psychological consequences for those performed on who include both girls and women. Various bodies including international human rights bodies, the governments and numerous non-governmental organizations have as a result of these effects engaged in numerous efforts that aim at eradicating this monster of FGM which various tools like instituting legislations that prohibit the practice, engaging in campaigns on public education and instigation of international conventions and resolutions that condemn the practice (Rahman, & Toubia, 2000). The main driving force for female genital mutilation whether clitoridectomy, excision or infibulation is anchored on mostly outdated and baseless traditional beliefs and pressure from the society (Amel, Mawaheb, & Ahmed, 2010). Amongst the reasons that have been advanced by its proponents vary from a unsubstantiated belief that the practice reduces sexual desire and thus promiscuity while on the other hand promoting chastity which enables young ladies attract husbands early. Additionally, they have taken advantage of religion and wrongly ascribed to and turned it to look like religious beliefs and traditional norms making it a rite of passage into adulthood (World Health Organization, 1995). This is indeed absurd taking into consideration the fact that culture is indeed dynamic and adaptable to changes since it is in constant flux as opposed to the common belief propagated by the proponents that it is static and non-responsive to any changes (Assad, 1980). Since the practice of Female Genital Mutilation has been proved to be hazardous and harmful to one’s health, it would be prudent if people would become wiling to change their behavior after understanding the various hazards and indignity associated with harmful practices. It should be understood that giving up harmful practices like FGM does not necessarily imply doing away with meaningful aspects of a people’s culture (Sarkis, 2003). There has been no health benefits associated with FGM, but instead, what has been confirmed without any reasonable doubt or what we can state without any fear of contradiction is that the practice harms both girls and women in many ways (World Health Organization, 1995). This is because the practice, mostly carried out by unqualified traditionalist, involves removal and damaging of healthy and otherwise normal female genital tissue consequently interfering with the natural functions of the bodies of girls and women undergoing it. Amongst the short term health complications associated with it include shock, severe pain, hemorrhage (bleeding), bacterial infection, retention of urine, open sores in the genital region and significant injuries to the tissues nearby the genitals (Amish, Dave, & Aldo, 2011). The long term consequence of female genital mutilation include cyst infection, urinary tract infections commonly known as recurrent bladder, infertility, need for other correctional surgeries in future surgeries and most critically the heightened risk of complications during childbirth and new-born deaths (Susan, Jones, & Ebere, 2004). Lacerations which occurs as a result of healing from FGM forming a scar whose tissues narrow the genital opening which makes it difficult to pass both urine and menstrual blood (World Health Organization, 2000). The decrease in the size of virginal opening retains menstrual blood in the body which causes bloating and welling of the abdomen. Furthermore, the inelastic nature of the scar tissue makes sexual intercourse and childbirth very painful and complicated. An anterior episiotomy may become necessary during child birth in order to minimize hemorrhaging and fetal asphyxia risks during childbirth (Amish, Dave, & Aldo, 2011). A study on the various monotheistic faiths which are Judaism, Islam and Christianity support or prescribe to female circumcision (Susan, Jones, & Ebere, 2004). Whatever the case, even if they did, it does not give an excuse for the practice as religion should not be indifferent to practices that are cruel and barbaric like FGM. Why should it when worse still, acclaimed medical experts have all come to a conclusion that unlike male circumcision, FGM lacks any medical benefits whatsoever to both the girls and women undergoing it (Assad, 1980). Other organizations like UN Population fund has asserted that indeed FGM causes irreparable harm which could possibly end up in death mainly as a result of extreme pain and trauma experienced, severe bleeding and various infections. Amongst the other various effect would be cysts infection, urination problems, infertility and complications during child birth (World Health Organization, 2000). Various studies have also postulated that routine trauma associated with the dehumanizing practices the infants, young girls and women could be traced to cervical cancer amongst women. Additionally, the victims experience extremely painful menstrual periods during their puberty and extremely painful sex during their marriages (Sarkis, 2003). Numerous studies on the topic have come to a conclusion that FGM has no single health benefit to the young girls and women undergoing it (Cathleen, & Julia, 2007; Dorkenoo & Elworthy 1992). Contrary to the misguided conception that the act discourages promiscuity in addition to the erroneous though basing on religion, it instead instils a sense of sexual frustration when the women get married. This should therefore remind both the parents and guardians that it is their duty to offer protection to the children who are a precious gift to them by strictly steering clear of female circumcision which in the real sense is female genital mutilation (Amel, Mawaheb, & Ahmed, 2010). Various justifications have been documented on FGM all of which are cross-cultural religious and cultural factors. These include to ensure chastity before marriage, minimize risks of nymphomania, facilitate marriage of young women, put under check female sexuality and prevent masturbation, raise fertility levels, enhance cleanliness and also ensure that the genital region is kept smooth for aesthetic reasons (Lightfoot-Klein, 1992). Other reasons given are to remove obstruction caused by very large labia during sexual intercourse, as a fulfilment of the requirements of religion, and avoid disgracing their families (World Health Organization, 1995). The world must therefore strive at tapping into the various resolutions that have been adopted by the UN general assembly in a bid to eliminate the ghost of Female Genital Mutilation. In a follow up to the earlier resolution passed in the year 2008 which gave more emphasis on the need for a concerted action by all sectors of the society which include the health sector, the education sector, finance, justice and women affairs sectors (Amish, Dave, & Aldo, 2011). Various governments globally should as a matter of urgency mobilise resources and step up with much vigour on the anti-FGM campaigns. Amongst the various remedies that can be implemented include passing legislations that criminalise the act since various international organizations like UNICEF and UNFPA have already identified the act as a gross violation of human rights (Cathleen, & Julia, 2007). Areas that are prevalent in the act should strategize on mass enlightenment and putting in place tough laws to act as a discouraging factor against the dehumanizing practice. It is indeed a high time that this issue of brutal violation of the rights of both girls and women is brought to an end. Both the religious leaders and community leaders should be incorporated in this noble cause of educating their followers on the evils associated with Female Genital Mutilation (Amish, Dave, & Aldo, 2011, p. 107). Consequently, governments should ensure they tirelessly pursue measures for eradication of FGM just like the case of FGM was handled. Additionally, primary health care system should be revived in a bid to eliminate the local traditional and otherwise untrained mutilators who use unsanitary tools to harm young in the pretence of circumcising them. References Amel, F., Mawaheb, T., & Ahmed, R. (2010). Female genital mutilation/cutting and issues of sexuality in Egypt Reproductive Health Matters, Vol. 18, No. 36, 181-190 Amish, J., Dave, A., & Aldo, M. (2011). Female Genital Mutilation: What Every American Dermatologist Needs to Know  Dermatologic Clinics, Vol. 29, No. 1, 103-109 Assad, M. B. (1980): Female Circumcision in Egypt: Social Implications, Current Research and Prospects for Change. Studies in Family Planning 11 (1): 3-6 January Cathleen, M., & Julia, A. (2007). Female Genital Mutilation: Cultural Awareness and Clinical Considerations Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, Vol. 52, No. 2, 158-163 Dorkenoo, E. & S. Elworthy (1992): Female Genital Mutilation: Proposals for change. London, Minority Rights Group. April Female Genital Mutilation in Africa, The Middle East and Far East at: http://www.religioustolerance.org/fem_cirm.htm Lightfoot-Klein, H. (1992): Prisoners of Ritual: An Odyssey into Female Genital Circumcision in Africa. New York: Harrington Park Press. Sarkis, M. (2003): Female Genital Cutting (FGC): An Introduction. The FGC Education and Networking Project. http://www.fgmnetwork.org/intro/fgmintro.html. Accessed April 30 2007 Rahman, A. and N. Toubia (2000): Female Genital Mutilation: A Guide to Laws and Policies Worldwide London and New York: Zed Books, p. 4. World Health Organization (1995): Female Genital Mutilation, Report of a WHO Technical Working Group, Geneva: WHO. World Health Organization (2000): Female Genital Mutilation, WHO Information Fact Sheet No. 241. Susan, D., Jones, J., & Ebere, A. (2004). Female genital mutilation in developing countries: an agenda for public health response  European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Vol. 116, 2 (15), 144-151. Julie, L. (2001). Female Circumcision/Female Genital Mutilation  Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, Vol. 14, No. 3, 109-112 Read More