Female genital mutilation cutting fgmc is a traditional practice with severe health consequences for girls and women. Her book woman at point zero 1975 is a fictionalised version of. Fcfgm is not exclusively a concern of african governments. Societies are defined by their settings and practices and belief systems that make up the culture of a community of a society. The form practiced varies by ethnic group and geographical location. Dec 05, 2007 one witnesses the ready assumption that any deliberate modification of the female and even the male anatomy is an example of oppression or torture as though we should begin describing the jewish practice as male genital mutilation and that these comingofage and gender identity or group identity ceremonies of african mothers should. Female genital mutilation female genital mutilation also called fgm is a destructive operation. Procedures involving the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or injury to the female genital organs are termed either female circumcision or female genital mutilation. Health consequences of female genital mutilationcutting. For purposes of this study, the terms female genital. My hands were tied with a rope and two strong women held my legs apart. Pdf female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is a traditional practice in which the external.
Female genital mutilation and the influence of traditional cultural practices against women. In many cultures, it is perceived as a rites or initiation into womanhood as it includes a period of education and seclusion about. International efforts to eliminate it also have a long history. Finabas or later known as fina by her adopted family life revolves around her interrupted fgm female genital mutilation initiation process in her village. An africa witness investigation has found that one such practice is female genital mutilation fgm, which is secretly taking place in some migrant communities in south africa. A black african feminist theory to examine female genital. Female genital mutilation fgm is of growing concern to health care providers in the united states and canada as more women from countries where the procedure is practiced emigrate to north america. These absolute numbers are only behind egypt with 27. Female genital mutilation a case of the sabiny in kapchowra. An africa witness investigation has found that one such practice is female genital mutilation fgm, which. The practice is found in africa, asia and the middle east, and within communities from countries in which fgm is common. The practice is rooted in gender inequality as it attempts to.
It is proven to have no health benefits for girls and women and is most often performed in nonmedical settings, meaning it is an extremely painful and dangerous experience. Opinion fighting female genital mutilation the new. Against this background of activity and changing emphasis, the plight of fauziya kassindja, a 17yearold woman from togo, focused public attention in the united states on female circumcision. May 11, 2017 the first federal prosecution of female genital mutilation has women in the us sharing own stories. Female genital mutilation, which is also called female circumcision, is commonly performed on young girls without anesthesia, and is extremely painful and traumatizing, unicef said. A seemingly endless parade of moreorless interchangeable articles and books about female genital cutting fgc appeared in the 80s and 90s, each apparently. Nearly universal in a few african countries, fgm is practiced by various groups in. According to utzbilling and kentenich 2008 two million girls worldwide are involved in these practices p. Pdf female genital mutilationcutting in africa researchgate.
Egyptian government figures put the rate of female genital mutilation among women ages 15 to 49 at 91 percent. Fighting female genital mutilation the new york times. Female genital mutilation fgm, also known as female genital cutting fgc or female circumcision, refers to a variety of operations involving the partial or total removal or alteration of female genitalia. Nigeria is ranked third highest in female genital mutilationcutting fgmc prevalence in the world. It is a traditional practice thatfor those who support its continuationis considered to be a. Female genital mutilation affects a fifth of young girls. This briefing derives from my lecture 1 april 2016 on female genital mutilation, to postgraduate students at the liverpool school of tropical medicine. Female genital mutilation in africa fgm is usually motivated by cultural or religious belief systems, and is more common in some regions of africa.
In polite company, its called fgm, which stands for female genital mutilation. Almost unheard of in the west, the destruction of a girls sexual organs is a tradition practiced in many african. This paper is aimed at developing an insight into a preventable societal issue. There are four types of female genital mutilation fgm also known as female genital cutting fgc. Africans, especially, should rediscover positive aspects of their culture. Even though some societies see female genital mutilation as virtuous for the victims, spouse and the family in addition to serving as a step for the fulfilment of traditional requirements, there. Female genital mutilation is a valuable reference for healthcare professionals and others involved in social services, teaching, child protection and police services. Female genital mutilation fgm, also known as female genital cutting fgc in nigeria accounts for the most female genital cuttingmutilation fgmc cases worldwide. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is a traditional practice in which the external female genitalia is partially or totally incised or excised for a nontherapeutic reason, usually without. The practice is also encountered in europe and north america mostly in immigrant communities from countries where the prevalence is high. Female genital mutilation fgm is a traditional practice in some african countries. Female genital mutilation fgm is a term used to describe various traditional practices that involve the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for cultural and traditional reasons in many african societies. Health consequences of female genital mutilationcutting in. The first federal prosecution of female genital mutilation has women in the us sharing own stories.
In somalia and the horn of africa, it was traditionally performed on adolescents as an initiation right to womanhood. Female genital mutilation or cutting fgmc is the act of either partially or totally removing the external female genitalia or causing injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical purposes. Female genital mutilation is a global issue and it effects approximately 100140 million women and girls worldwide who as cited in lavender, 2009, p. Apr 15, 2009 female genital mutilation, which is also called female circumcision, is commonly performed on young girls without anesthesia, and is extremely painful and traumatizing, unicef said. Customs, rituals, myths, and taboos have perpetuated the practice even though it has. Aug 11, 2006 female genital mutilation fgm is a traditional practice in some african countries. From infancy in ethiopia, eritrea and mali to sevenmonth pregnant females in nigeria. Culture is dynamic and evolves over time, consciously discarding retrogressive traditions, like female genital mutilation fgm, and embracing aspects that are good and useful. Fgmc is common in africa with varying prevalence in different countries, though the.
History and cultural context female genital mutilation. Female genital mutilation fgm also known as cutting or female circumcision is a procedure carried out on girls and young women which involves removing some or all of the external genitals. It crosses the numerous population groups and is a part of. As early as the 17th century, christian missionaries and colonial administrations in africa attempted to prevent. Female genital mutilation and the influence of traditional. Before the girls hit puberty is usually when it is performed. One witnesses the ready assumption that any deliberate modification of the female and even the male anatomy is an example of oppression or torture as though we should begin describing the jewish practice as male genital mutilation and that these comingofage and gender identity or group identity ceremonies of african mothers should. Please be aware that this story contains a detailed account of what fgm involves, which some readers may find distressing. Experience from ibibio, akwa ibom state of nigeria. The critique contesting female genital cutting in africa.
Female genital mutilation and its effects on women and young girls. According to the world health organisation who, about a 100m women worldwide have undergone the procedure, which happens to 3m girls under 10 every year. Female circumcision is central to african traditional religion and entails transgression of fundamental rights. The procedure consists of the female genitals being partly or entirely removed or injured with the goals of inhibiting a womans sexual feelings. Culture plays an important role not only in giving a society or a group an identity but it also acts as a unifying factor for the members of the community. Female genital mutilation is the collective term given to several different practices that involve the cutting of female genitals. Jan 01, 2005 female genital mutilation fgm occurs in many parts of the world, especially in africa. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is a traditional practice with severe health consequences for girls and women. Female genital mutilation fgm is the current terminology used by the world health organisation who and is familiar to most health care professionals. Around the award winning beautiful serengeti national park greatest wildlife spectacle on earth small african communities are illegally practicing female genital mutilation.
The world health organisation who and the united nations childrens fund unicef define female genital mutilation as all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons. The issue of female genital mutilation, a practice encompassing a partial or complete removal of the clitoris, has been a tricky and contentious subject for. The senegalese rapper has become one of the worlds leading campaigners against female genital mutilation kate mossman sat 16 feb 20. Nov 17, 2014 egyptian government figures put the rate of female genital mutilation among women ages 15 to 49 at 91 percent. Pdf an overview of female genital mutilation in nigeria.
Feb 11, 2011 some of these practices violate the dignity and human rights of women and children. By hassan isilow for nearly 17 years, migrants from all over the world have been flocking to south africa, bringing with them their cultural practices. Female genital mutilation fgm, also known as female genital cutting and female circumcision, is the ritual cutting or removal of some or all of the external female genitalia. It is a procedure that involves partial or completely removing the. What you need to know about female genital mutilation. Degree programme in social services female genital mutilation fgm is a term used to describe various traditional practices. Oct 25, 2016 finabas or later known as fina by her adopted family life revolves around her interrupted fgm female genital mutilation initiation process in her village. History has been made, female genital mutilation banned in. More than million girls and women have experienced fgmc in 29 countries in africa and the middle east where the practice is most common. And yet, despite repeated assurances that women arent particularly sexual creatures, in cultures around the world men have gone to extraordinary lengths to control female libido. Some of these practices violate the dignity and human rights of women and children. The term female circumcision is inappropriate as it implies that the procedure is analogous to male circumcision when in fact a much more extensive amount of tissue is removed. Many feel this term circumcision is a euphemism is deem the procedure to be called by the more appropriate name, female genital mutilation. Female genital mutilation is a traditional practice of many different social groups.
Female genital mutilation cutting fgmc is a traditional practice in which the external female genitalia is partially or totally incised or excised for a nontherapeutic reason, usually without. Jan 28, 2009 in polite company, its called fgm, which stands for female genital mutilation. It occurs mainly in countries along a belt stretching from senegal in west africa to somalia in east africa and to yemen in the middle east, but it is also practised in some parts of southeast asia. It is a cultural practice thought to have been established centuries ago, though its origins appear to have been lost in the past. In the novel, the deadly practice of fgm is a comingofage event where a girl finally becomes a woman and belongs to the people of the village. Female genital mutilation affects a fifth of young girls in. More than 200 million women and girls alive today have been victims of female genital mutilation fgm 1 in africa, the middle east, and asia. And why understanding culture matters in the first place female genital mutilation fgm, also known as female circumcision has been practiced traditionally for centuries in subsaharan africa. Female genital mutilation affects a fifth of young girls in subsaharan africa this article is more than 6 years old problems such as violence, child marriage and fgm are. It is estimated that 200 million women and girls in 30 countries, the majority of them being africa, have been cut.
The struggle to end female genital mutilation in africa. Fgm secretly happening in south africa africa witness. Female genital mutilation has historically been confined to countries of cultural origin within the african sphere. Fgm is the ritual removal of some or all of the external female genitalia. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is a harmful traditional practice with severe health complications, deeply rooted in many subsaharan african countries. A campaign against female genital mutilation in kapchorwa, uganda. However, the prevalence of fgm extends to some middle eastern, asian, australian, central american, and south american countries, but to a lesser degree. According to the world health organisation who, about a 100m women worldwide have undergone the procedure, which happens to. The practice is also encountered in europe and north america mostly in immigrant communities from countries where the. Customs, rituals, myths, and taboos have perpetuated the. Female genital mutilation persists in african nomadic culture. Female genital mutilation in african literature 9780955507946. An introduction to the demographics of fgm, including prevalence rates, is a necessary antecedent for understanding the cultural rationales for this widespread practice. Nov 18, 2017 nigeria is ranked third highest in female genital mutilation cutting fgmc prevalence in the world.
African commission on human and peoples rights african commission, the enforcement body of the african charter on human and peoples rights, has expressly noted the persistence of traditional practices that are harmful to women and children in some african countries such as female genital mutilation. Sep, 2016 culture is dynamic and evolves over time, consciously discarding retrogressive traditions, like female genital mutilation fgm, and embracing aspects that are good and useful. Though the issue of female genital cutting, or circumcision, has become a nexus for debates on cultural relativism, human rights, patriarchal oppression, racism. The practice is generally carried out with a knife or a razor blade without anesthesia and in nonsterile conditions. Somalia is the worst country in africa when it comes to female genital mutilation.
Population fund programme, opted to use female genital cutting fgc instead of female genital mutilation which was thought to imply excessive judgment by outsiders as well as insensitivity towards individuals who have undergone the procedure, ni mhordha 2007. Female genital mutilation fgm, euphemistically called female circumcision, is defined by the world health organization who as all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitals, or injury to the female genital organs for nontherapeutic reasons. Female genital mutilation fgm, also known as female circumcision, comprises of all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for nonmedical reasons. The notes will be updated occasionally, and will i hope serve as an introduction to most of the issues arising in the eradication of fgm, in both lowresource and more structured settings. Female genital mutilation fgm, also known as female genital cutting fgc in nigeria accounts for the most female genital cutting mutilation fgmc cases worldwide. Jan 30, 2014 female genital mutilation affects a fifth of young girls in subsaharan africa this article is more than 6 years old problems such as violence, child marriage and fgm are widespread across some of. The practices is customarily a family tradition that the young female of the age 015 would experience. Jan 27, 2017 while the prevalence of fgm over the last 30 years has fallen, not all countries have made progress. In nigeria, fgm is historically predominant in her culture and traditions. Help girls and women thrive generates evidence to inform and influence investments, policies, and programmes for ending female genital mutilationcutting in different contexts. It is a procedure that involves partial or completely removing the external females genitalia or other injury to the female. Jan 27, 2020 a campaign against female genital mutilation in kapchorwa, uganda. Caseworkers involved with asylum seekers and refugees, childrens charities, and policy makers and shapers will also find it useful, as will researchers and academics. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is a traditional practice in.
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