By Dayan Hussein | Staff Writer
Of the many atrocities affecting women, Female Genital Mutilation -FGM- might be one of the worst offenders. This past February was the international month of zero tolerance for FGM, but to better protest against it, we must first understand the practice and how dangerous it can become.
What is exactly FGM? FGM is a non-medical practice that intentionally removes female genital organs, such as the clitoris and the labia, and has absolutely no health benefits. It’s a human rights violation deeply rooted in gender inequality and discrimination against women and girls. Their rights to health, security, and physical integrity are also violated, as is their right to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman, or humiliating treatment, as well as their right to life if the process results in death.
More than 200 million women have been subjected to FGM, and very often, girls are cut at a very young age. This inhuman practice is motivated by a desire to exercise control over women’s sexuality and bodily autonomy. FGM is prevalent in countries such as Somalia, Guinea, and Djibouti, with prevalence estimates of 98%, 97%, and 93%, respectively, indicating that nearly all girls are subjected to the practice.
FGM can be classified into four categories. The first is “clitoridectomy”, which is the removal of the clitoris. The second type is “excision”, which involves the removal of the clitoris and labia. Type three is “infibulation”, defined as a constriction of the vaginal opening, which can be caused by stitching. And last but not least is mutilating parts of the genitalia by pricking, straining, scarring, or even in more extreme cases, using acid.
This procedure causes major long-term health issues for the person experiencing FGM, increased risks during childbirth, psychological distress, and can even lead to death. Severe bleeding, shock, extreme infection, and other major injuries are all possible outcomes when the procedure is performed. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a girl or woman who has undergone FGM faces difficulties with menstruation throughout her life, pain and difficulty passing menstrual blood or urine, urinary tract infections, pain during sex, less or no sexual pleasure, and an increased risk of complications during childbirth, among other physical and mental health risks.
The practice of FGM is frequently motivated by beliefs about what constitutes proper sexual behavior, such as virginity before marriage and marital fidelity. There is, however, no moral basis to justify such a horrible act. It’s a vicious circle of societal pressure that’s difficult to break, but not impossible. Every woman and girl has the right to make decisions about their body and to say no to FGM. This is why we need to educate people about FGM and the implications it poses. Teaching young girls and women about the consequences of FGM is a powerful tool for challenging public opinion and reversing the practice, alongside a systematic global effort to end the practice of FGM.