Female Genital Mutilation Essay Research Paper IntroductionWorldwide

Female Genital Mutilation Essay, Research Paper

Introduction:

Worldwide, an estimated 130 million girls and women have undergone female genital mutilation. At least two million women a year are “at risk” of undergoing some form of the procedure. These numbers equal out to approximately 6,000 women at risk per day. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines Female Genital Mutilation as all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs whether for cultural or other non-therapeutic reasons. Female circumcision is another term for the procedure as well.

Part I: History & Types of Female Genital Mutilation

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) has been an ongoing worldwide debate. Awareness as well as legislative activity have had an incredible amount of benefiting effect. However, it’s been around for so long that its history is hard to determine. Although evidence of FGM can be found dating back several thousands of years where Egyptian women mummies have been found mutilated, the specific origin of FGM is obscured by time. It’s practice has been cited in almost thirty African nations. In addition, the proof of FGM has been seen in the middle east and to a lesser extent, in parts of Asia. Most often, the historic reasons cited are marital fidelity, controlling a women’s sex drive, and “calming” a woman’s personality and hygiene. More modern justifications for this procedure are custom and tradition. Some tribes and groups maintain and preserve their cultural identity by continuing the practice. Religion is also cited but it is important to note that FGM is a cultural, not religious practice. Although practiced by Jews, Christians, Muslims, and members of other indigenous religions in Africa, none of these religions require it, but it is commonly considered an important right of passage. One last reason is social pressure. In communities in which most women are circumcised, family and friends create an environment in which the practice of circumcision becomes a requirement for social acceptance. In industrialized countries, genital mutilation occurs predominately among immigrants from countries where mutilation is practiced.

FGM can be classified into four separate groups. Type I, termed clitorectomy, involves the excision of the skin surrounding the clitoris, with or without excision of part or all of the clitoris. When this procedure is performed in infants and young girls, a portion of or all of the clitoris and surrounding tissues may be removed. If only the clitoral prepuce is removed, the physical manifestation of Type I FGM may be subtle, necessitating a careful examination of the clitoris and adjacent structures for recognition. Type II is referred to as excision. It is the removal of the entire clitoris and part or all of the labia minora. Crude stitches of catgut or thorns may be used to control bleeding from the clitoral artery and raw tissue surfaces. Patients with Type II FGM do not have the typical contour of the anterior perinea structures resulting from the absence of the labia minora and clitoris. In addition, the vaginal opening is not covered.

Type III, known as infibulation, is the most severe form in which the entire clitoris and some or all of the labia minora are excised, and incisions are made in the labia majora to create raw surfaces. The labial raw surfaces are then stitched together to cover the urethra and vaginal introitus, leaving a small posterior opening for the urinary and menstrual flows. The patient will have a firm band of tissue replacing the labia and obliteration of the urethra and vagina openings. It is estimated that 15% of all mutilations in Africa are Type III. Type IV includes the different practices of variable severity including pricking, piercing, or incision of the clitoris and or labia. Stretching of the clitoris and or labia, cauterization of the clitoris, and scraping or introduction of corrosive substances into the vagina all fall under Type IV FGM as well. Around 85% of genital mutilations performed in Africa consist of clitoridectomy or excision, while the least radical procedure consists of the removal of the clitoral hood. A list of African countries and type of procedure dominant in each country is included for reference.

Part II: Procedures, Consequences, & Legislation

Some girls undergo this type of mutilation alone, but more often, undergone as a group. For example, sisters, other close female relatives, or neighbors might be included all at once. The procedure may be carried out in the girls home, the home of a relative of neighbor, in a health center, or sometimes at specially designated sites, such as a tree or a river. It is performed in these unsterile surroundings with the girl forcibly restrained. It is carried out with instruments such as broken glass, tin lids, scissors, rusted razor blades, etc. In a more modernized society, or in a wealthier tribe or environment, the procedure may take place in a hospital under local or general anesthetic. Generally, the procedure is performed between the ages of two and fifteen by an older tribe leader (a women), a traditional midwife or healer, a barber, and in those few instances, by a qualified medic. Usually, pastes containing herbs, milk, eggs, ashes or dung are applied to facilitate healing.

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