FGM stands for female genital mutilation, female genital mutilation is also known as female circumcision excision or genital cutting. Is a procedure of partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. FGM is majorly carried out in infancy and age 15years.
At least 200milion girls and women alive today have undergone female circumcision and if the trends continues, over 15 million girls and women will undergo such cruel and painful procedure called FGM by the year 2030.
The procedure of female genital mutilation has no health benefits for girls and women, because it is usually performed without permission and often against the will of the girl child.
FGM violates the girls right to make important decision about her sexual and reproduction health.
In Africa female genital mutilation has been a norm which has been a practice carried out across each and every boundaries in Africa making it a crisis and a dangerous trend to our girls and women in the future.
WHY FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION HAPPENS
FGM happens as a result of gender inequality and discriminatory. Culture and religious norms are factors why this dangerous and harmful practice take place.
This includes the ideas that FGM is seen as preserving chastity, cleanliness, family honour and saves a girl from marriage. These beliefs stem from a perceived need to control female sexuality.
The issue of female genital mutilation requires sensitive handling and we must educate families, communities, and religious leaders that FGM is not a necessary part of a girls coming of age rituals and Ultimately it will no longer be accepted or tolerated.
Some of the information and picture was gathered from www.plan-international.org