Genital Mutilation A 5,000 year old trend that is still practiced in more than 28 African countries and has been debated for more than three decades is Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). The World Health Organization has estimated that over 100 million girls have fallen victim to this practice and around three million girls will undergo this “procedure” every year. Of all of the countries in the Middle East and Africa that still hold true to this tradition, 95% of girls from those countries have gone through female circumcision. Why is this still happening today? The answer is simply because of religious beliefs. It is required in a few religions around the Middle East and Northeastern Africa. Muslims, Animists, and even a those who practice a religion that is widely prevalent in our society, Christianity, have been known and are still known to
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According to the Economist, as mentioned earlier, FGM has tried to be put out of practice since the 1980s. It is also now illegal in 18 African countries.
The religious aspect of the FGM situation is what has some people for the 5000 year old practice. The American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) argued that it was similar to an ear piercing and that it would satisfy the “cultural requirements’ of those who are for the practice. Dena Davis, a ethics and law professor at Clemson State University, claims that this genital mutilation is fine, as long as it is a small, symbolic “nick.” Opposing this argument is Ayaan Hirsi Alli from Somalia. She states that, “the motive for cutting off a girl’s clitoris is to reduce her sexuality.”
The debate over Female Genital Mutilation will continue. On one hand, the people deserve and have the right to exercise their freedom of religion. However, on the other hand, when looking at the effects of this act, many may think that the harms of FGM outweigh the potential satisfaction of a worldwide cultural
According to the Economist, as mentioned earlier, FGM has tried to be put out of practice since the 1980s. It is also now illegal in 18 African countries.
The religious aspect of the FGM situation is what has some people for the 5000 year old practice. The American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) argued that it was similar to an ear piercing and that it would satisfy the “cultural requirements’ of those who are for the practice. Dena Davis, a ethics and law professor at Clemson State University, claims that this genital mutilation is fine, as long as it is a small, symbolic “nick.” Opposing this argument is Ayaan Hirsi Alli from Somalia. She states that, “the motive for cutting off a girl’s clitoris is to reduce her sexuality.”
The debate over Female Genital Mutilation will continue. On one hand, the people deserve and have the right to exercise their freedom of religion. However, on the other hand, when looking at the effects of this act, many may think that the harms of FGM outweigh the potential satisfaction of a worldwide cultural