Female Genital Mutilation is the practice of removing some form of the female genitalia for cultural and/ or religious reasons. Some of the reasons for performing female genital mutilation are to "calm" a female's personality, ensure hygiene, and solve paternity questions. Some cultures also believe that FGM prevents girls from becoming lesbian, reduces the woman's sex drive, and ensuring that she does not cheat on her husband (http://www.fgm.org July 21, 2000). Many parents choose to mutilate their daughter because if they don't, the parents most likely would not be able to marry their daughters off. Sexual pleasure in many cultures is considered just for men, whereas the reward for sex of women is babies.

There are four types of female genital mutilation
Circumcision or Sunna: removal of the hood of the clitoris, with the body of the clitoris remaining intact (Walker, Parmar 367). Excision or Clitoridectomy: "removal of the clitoris and all or part of the labia minora" (Walker, Parmar 367). Intermediate: is similar to excision or clitoridectomy it just sometimes removes part of the labia majora (Walker, Parmar 367). Infibulation or Pharaonic: removal of the clitoris, the labia minora, and most of the labia majora. "The remaining sides of the vulva are stitched together to close up the vagina, except for a small opening, which the vaginal opening is preserved with slivers of wood or match sticks" (Walker, Parmar 367).		click for larger view click for larger view

Female Genital Mutilation is commonly practiced in Peru, Mexico, Brazil, New Guinea, Australia, the Malay Archipelago, Ethiopia, Egypt, and other parts of Africa. It is practiced almost entirely by Islamic people who live in the Middle East, Africa, Western Asia, and India (http://www.britannica.com July 19, 2000). A midwife almost always performs the operation often under unsterilized conditions using sharp, unclean instruments such as, pieces of glass, kitchen knives, razor blades and scissors. FGM is sometimes performed in a ceremony where the families receive gifts in honor of their daughter's circumcision. Consequences of Female Genital Mutilation include severe bleeding, unbearable pain, tetanus due to unclean conditions, other infections such as HIV, and even death can result (http://www.britannica.com July 19, 2000). Even after normal healing women and girls might experience painful urination and painful sexual intercourse. Also menstrual blood can back up and cause a series of problems. Although the statistics show 130 million women have undergone genital mutilation, there are some cases in which women have stood up and fled their countries or male leaders have decided on ending the practice. Though these acts of courage may seem simple, along with them comes controversy over religious and cultural beliefs. Prominent points raised are whether one culture or religion has the right to judge the behaviors of another and whether culture and religion can be used as shields to cover injustices against women. As a matter of fact, in 1994 a young girl named Fauziya Kassindja ran away from her home in Togo when she was informed that she was to be circumcised in preparation for marriage to an older man who already had three wives. She fled to the United States, was arrested, and was sent to jail on charges of illegal immigration. Nonetheless, after a year and a half she was released as demanded by the people of America. Kassindja was lucky, blessed, or whatever one may want to call it because many women are not so lucky. In contrast, one girl died in Cairo, Egypt from an antibiotic allergy during the mutilation. This young woman couldn't find an escape like Kassindja did even though the law banned the operation. The statement " 'We have done it, we do it, and we will continue to do it'" (Brunner 14) can only be eradicated if concerned people offer support to organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), United Nations (UN), UNICEF, and the National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Centers (NOCIRC) that have spent years fighting such an awful practice. There are about twenty-eight countries practicing genital mutilation; imagine how many females are suffering. So, what can you do to fight such a troubling injustice? Suggested Reading Researched and Written by Jamie M. and Jessica Pippen

More from Jamie and Jessica On FGM Chart of Type and Location of FGM Scarred for Life - A Poem Humiliated Because I Am Mutilated - A Story Works Cited Page

 

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