| By Lizzy Adie, 30th June 2015.
It is the practice, traditional in some cultures, of partially or totally removing of the external genitalia of girls and young women for non-medical reasons.
Female Genitalia Mutilation (FGM) also known as female genital cutting and female circumcision. It is typically carried out by a traditional circumciser using a blade or razor (with or without anaesthesia). The age at which it is conducted varies from days after birth to puberty, most girls are cut before the age of five.
The procedures differ according to the ethnic group. This include; removal of the clitoral hood and clitoral glans (visible part of the clitoris), removal of the inner labia and in the most severe form (known as infibulation) , removal of the inner and outer labia and closure of the vulva.
In this last procedure, a small hole is left for the passage of urine and menstral fluid, and the vagina is opened for intercourse and opened further for childbirth.
The practice is rooted in gender inequality, attempt to control women’s sexuality, and ideas about purity, modesty and aesthetics. It is usually initiated and carried out by women who see it as a source of honour, and who fear that failing to have their daughters and granddaughters cut will expose the girls to social exclusions.
When traditional circumciers are involved, non-sterile cutting devices are likely to be used. This include; knives, razors, scissors, glasses, sharpened rocks and fingernails.
Effects Of Female Genitalia Mutilation.
Immediate consequences of FGM includes ; severe pain and bleeding, shock, difficulty in passing urine, recurrent infections, injury to nearby genital tissue, failure to heal, hepatitis and other blood borne diseases, pelvic inflammatory disease, cysts inability to get pregnant, complications during childbirth and fatal bleeding.
The procedure can result to death through severe bleeding leading to hemorrhagic shock, neurogenic shock as a result of pain and trauma, overwhelming infection and septicemia, according to Manfred Novak, UN Special Rapportuer on Torture and other cruel inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
“The pain inflicted by FGM does not stop with the initial procedure but often continues as ongoing torture throughout a woman’s life ” says Manfred Nowak, UN special Rapportuer on torture.
Additional risks for complications from infibulations includes; Urinary and menstral problem, infertility, later surgery (defibulation and reinfibulation) and painful Sexual intercourse. Sexual intercourse can only take place after opening the infibulation through surgery or penetrative Sexual intercourse.
This is a fundamental violation of human rights because it is carried out at a very young age when there is no possibility of the individual consent.
www. endfgm.eu.
|
