Female genital mutilation or circumcision is a process of removing or cutting the parts of vulva for nonmedical reasons among young girls in their infancy to 15 years of age. The harmful practise is deep rooted in the countries of Africa, Asia and Middle East
Why is FGM performed and where?
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is performed for a range of cultural, social, and misunderstood religious beliefs. In some communities, it is considered a rite of passage into womanhood, while in others it is used to control a girl’s sexuality or is seen as a sign of purity. Social acceptance, marriage prospects, and inheritance are also significant factors that sustain this inhumane practice.
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According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 230 million girls and women worldwide have undergone FGM, and an estimated 4 million girls remain at risk each year, particularly in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
Types of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
- Type 1: Partial or total removal of the clitoral glans and/or the clitoral hood.
- Type 2: Partial or total removal of the clitoral glans and the labia minora, with or without removal of the labia majora.
- Type 3 (Infibulation): Narrowing of the vaginal opening by cutting and repositioning the labia, sometimes stitched together.
- Type 4: All other harmful non-medical procedures to the female genitalia, such as pricking, piercing, scraping, or cauterizing.
Complications of Female Genital Mutilation:
WHO enlists immediate as well as long term complication of performing genital mutilation. The Immediate complications include:
- severe pain
- excessive bleeding (haemorrhage)
- genital tissue swelling
- fever
- infections e.g., tetanus
- urinary problems
- wound healing problems
- injury to surrounding genital tissue
- shock
- death.
Long-term complications include:
- Urinary problems (painful urination, urinary tract infections);
- vaginal problems (discharge, itching, bacterial vaginosis and other infections);
- Menstrual problems (painful menstruations, difficulty in passing menstrual blood, etc.);
- Scar tissue and keloid;
- Sexual problems (pain during intercourse, decreased satisfaction, etc.);
- Increased risk of childbirth complications (difficult delivery, excessive bleeding, caesarean section, need to resuscitate the baby, etc.) and newborn deaths;
- Need for later surgeries: women with Type 3 might require deinfibulation (opening the infibulated scar to allow for sexual intercourse and childbirth.
- Psychological problems (depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, low self-esteem, etc.)
It is well recognised that female genital mutilation (FGM) poses serious health risks and offers no benefits, and in some cases can even lead to the death of newborn girls. On this International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, a collective commitment must be made to protect the rights, health, and dignity of women and girls.
