Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) is a cultural practice that removes part or all of the female external genitalia. FGM/C can also be an injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons (“FGM”). FGM/C usually is performed on a female child between the ages of four and eight years old (Costello 2). In other cases this procedure is done during the 1st week of life, at prepuberty or just before marriage (Costello 2). FGM/C is dehumanizing and should be stopped. Culturally it may seem like the right thing to do but in reality, the many women that have suffered through FGM/C are damaged forever. Some victims of FGM/C suffer from psychological and psychosomatic disorders such as sleep, mood and cognition changes, depression, chronic
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These particular women suffer with more difficulties in childbirth, higher rates of infant mortality, and infertility (Costello 3). Most if not all are not able to have children and sexual pleasure is non-existent. Despite the fact that many young girls are at risk of being victims of FGM/C there are still ways it can be stopped. This research paper is intended to inform, enlighten, and contribute to the efforts of stopping FGM/C. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies FGM/C into 4 different categories. The first is Clitoridectomy which is partial or total removal of the clitoris (a small, sensitive and erectile part of the female genitals). In very rare cases, only the prepuce (the fold skin surrounding the clitoris) is removed (“FGM”). Excision is the second category which refers to the partial or total removal of the clitoris as well as the labia minora, with or without excision of the labia majora (Costello 2). Stitches made out of catgut or thorns may be used to control bleeding from the clitoral artery and raw tissue surfaces or mud poultices may be applied directly to the perineum (Frader 2). (the area …show more content…
Victims of category 2 FGM/C do not have the typical contour of the anterior perineal structures resulting from the absence of the labia minora and clitoris. The vaginal opening is not covered in the category two procedure (Frader 2). Category three is commonly known as infibulation, the most severe form of FGM/C. This category of FGM/C includes removal of the entire clitoris and some or all of the labia minora are excised. The
These particular women suffer with more difficulties in childbirth, higher rates of infant mortality, and infertility (Costello 3). Most if not all are not able to have children and sexual pleasure is non-existent. Despite the fact that many young girls are at risk of being victims of FGM/C there are still ways it can be stopped. This research paper is intended to inform, enlighten, and contribute to the efforts of stopping FGM/C. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies FGM/C into 4 different categories. The first is Clitoridectomy which is partial or total removal of the clitoris (a small, sensitive and erectile part of the female genitals). In very rare cases, only the prepuce (the fold skin surrounding the clitoris) is removed (“FGM”). Excision is the second category which refers to the partial or total removal of the clitoris as well as the labia minora, with or without excision of the labia majora (Costello 2). Stitches made out of catgut or thorns may be used to control bleeding from the clitoral artery and raw tissue surfaces or mud poultices may be applied directly to the perineum (Frader 2). (the area …show more content…
Victims of category 2 FGM/C do not have the typical contour of the anterior perineal structures resulting from the absence of the labia minora and clitoris. The vaginal opening is not covered in the category two procedure (Frader 2). Category three is commonly known as infibulation, the most severe form of FGM/C. This category of FGM/C includes removal of the entire clitoris and some or all of the labia minora are excised. The