WHAT IS THE NEWS ABOUT ‘FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION’(FGM)
TODAY???
Hi people of this community,as I stated clear in my introduction that i will be contributing regularly on valid issues concerning mankind, i intended to share my first post in a way of giving a broad view on Female Genital Mutilation(FGM) and the need to be stopped.
What is Female Genital Mutilation(FGM) in the first place?
FGM is the removal and cutting of the external genitalia(usually the clitoris involved).This practice is commonly found in Africa but can be found in other continents like Asia and the middle east.Can also be found among very few people in Europe and Latin America as well.Usually, FGM is practiced mainly for non-medical reasons.This is usually carried out by traditional circumcise using sharp blades
.It is conducted from days after birth to puberty and beyond.Every ethnic group have their own ways of going about the practice but all sum up to the removal of the clitoral glans and hood and the removal of the inner and outer labia.The last process for the whole procedure is known as infibulation. Infibulation is the removal of the clitoris and labia of a female and stitching together the vulva to prevent sexual intercourse. T he women are usually opened further for childbirth(deinfibulation) and closed afterwards(reinfibulation). Reinfibulation usually involves the re-cutting of the vagina to restore its pinhole size of the first infibulation.This is normally performed before marriage,after birth, divorce and widowhood.
WHY IS FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION PERFORMED?
FGM is mainly practiced to control women sexuality.this is done to ensure virginity before marriage and to increase male sexuality pleasure
Societies who practice FGM also see it as part of girl’s initiation into womanhood and as an intrinsic part of a community’s cultural heritage.
They also bark the whole practice with myths to scare the young females which gives them no option than open arms to welcome the practice.
Examples of such myths includes;
‘An uncut clitoris will grow to the size of the penis’.
‘FGM will enhance fertility and also promote child survival during birth’.
FGM is supported by both men and women in the societies.this its being practiced.
Anyone who declares not to follow the practice suffers harassment and condemnations.
ARE THERE HEALTH BENEFITS ON FGM?
NO! There no health benefits on FGM but rather only health risks.Its just a way to control female sexuality.
ARE THERE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF FGM CONCERNING HEALTH??
YES! There are numerous of them:
Concerning health,there both physical and psychological effects.People used to suggest that this practice should be done by skilled medical personnel to ensure safety,but the actual fact is,FGM can ‘’never’ be safe.
There are serious health consequences of FGM.Advocating any form of cutting or harm to the genitals of girls and women suggesting that skilled medical personnel to perform is unacceptable from health and human rights perspective.
FGM can cause long term health problems including;
1.Complications during birth
2.Anemia
3.Keloid scar formation
4.Damage to urethra leading to urinary incontinence
5.Painful sexual intercourse
6.Sexual dysfunction
7.The risk of sexually transmitted diseases
8.Infertility
9.Fistula
Some psychological effects also includes;
1.Suffer from anxiety anxiety and depression.
2.Cause of marital conflicts and divorce due to sexual dysfunction.
WHY THE NEED TO STOP PRACTICING FGM?
There are a number of reasons why FGM needs to be stopped.These reasons are;
1.It has no health benefits,but rather health risks.
2.It violates human rights.
3.Renforcement of gender ineuality
4.Leading to psychological trauma
5.Causes physical damage.
Lets save the lives of women today by Ending FGM!!!
