Female Genital Mutilation today ranks as a rather controversial topic in many countries around the world. There are several factors when it comes to actually dealing with the process. Such as what exactly FGM is. Along with understanding the procedure the reasons for it being done. Including where it is conducted throughout the world. Yet to understand the procedure the future of it must be understood as well. Female Genital Mutilation is a procedure which involves nicking, cutting, and/or removal of external female genitalia. Often done with a specific type of razor or blade. The first type albeit normal is seen as done for symbolic reasons (such as nicking the area above the clitoris). The three major types which are done for a variety
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Type II (excision) includes removal of the clitoris along with part or all of the labia minora. Sometimes the outer labia is removed as well. Type III (infibulation) is the more radical procedure since it involves removal of the external genitalia, the inner & outer labia, the clitoral glans (sometimes), and the sewing up of the wound (leaving only a small hole for the flow of fluids. There is very little reason health wise to do this procedure at all. Any once credible health reasons have been dismissed as outright pseudoscience. FGM does have consequences toward the person who the procedure is done on however. Complications such as bacterial infections, bleeding, urinary complications, wound infections, and other ailments. Use of non-sterile instruments can possibly spread various diseases (such as Hepatitis), and periods once they start can be incredibly painful. FGM is noted to cause issues for women who have just begun to have sexual intercourse, dealing with pregnancy, and cause the deaths of the fetus and/or the mother. The procedure has been known to have …show more content…
While I respect the fact it is often rooted in culture or religious backgrounds there are many practices today which have been phased out. FGM should be phased out as well, and go into the repository of history, and anthropology. While FGM was believed to have had medical usage in the past society at large knows there is no intrinsic value in the alteration or removal of female genitalia in such a manner. The Guttmacher Institute issued a report on FGM which states that the consequences for the procedure vary, and that “Infibulation is particularly likely to cause long term health problems for women. Ranging from urinary tract infections due to a restrictive opening to reproductive tract infections, sterility, and life threatening complications if the area is not unsewn to allow the process of childbirth to naturally occur” (Althaus, F.A). The World Health Organization estimates that “over 125 million women alive today from over 29 countries have been cut” (WHO Media Centre). This is often because of social conventions, and lack of proper awareness. While the WHO, and other organizations do their best it simply isn’t enough. The countries of the world need to be actively involved in stopping the process. People often confuse the procedure as supported directly by religions, but in many cases there is no direct mention of FGM within scriptural texts of said
Type II (excision) includes removal of the clitoris along with part or all of the labia minora. Sometimes the outer labia is removed as well. Type III (infibulation) is the more radical procedure since it involves removal of the external genitalia, the inner & outer labia, the clitoral glans (sometimes), and the sewing up of the wound (leaving only a small hole for the flow of fluids. There is very little reason health wise to do this procedure at all. Any once credible health reasons have been dismissed as outright pseudoscience. FGM does have consequences toward the person who the procedure is done on however. Complications such as bacterial infections, bleeding, urinary complications, wound infections, and other ailments. Use of non-sterile instruments can possibly spread various diseases (such as Hepatitis), and periods once they start can be incredibly painful. FGM is noted to cause issues for women who have just begun to have sexual intercourse, dealing with pregnancy, and cause the deaths of the fetus and/or the mother. The procedure has been known to have …show more content…
While I respect the fact it is often rooted in culture or religious backgrounds there are many practices today which have been phased out. FGM should be phased out as well, and go into the repository of history, and anthropology. While FGM was believed to have had medical usage in the past society at large knows there is no intrinsic value in the alteration or removal of female genitalia in such a manner. The Guttmacher Institute issued a report on FGM which states that the consequences for the procedure vary, and that “Infibulation is particularly likely to cause long term health problems for women. Ranging from urinary tract infections due to a restrictive opening to reproductive tract infections, sterility, and life threatening complications if the area is not unsewn to allow the process of childbirth to naturally occur” (Althaus, F.A). The World Health Organization estimates that “over 125 million women alive today from over 29 countries have been cut” (WHO Media Centre). This is often because of social conventions, and lack of proper awareness. While the WHO, and other organizations do their best it simply isn’t enough. The countries of the world need to be actively involved in stopping the process. People often confuse the procedure as supported directly by religions, but in many cases there is no direct mention of FGM within scriptural texts of said