Female Genital Mutilation is a controversial traditional practice that has harmed, and continues to harm, many girls and women. It “is defined as any procedure ‘involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia without medical reasons.” (Andersson, Rymer, Joyce, Momoh, & Gayle, 2012, p. 1606) To begin this essay, I will discuss where this is happening and the different types of FGM. Second, I plan to focus on why this practice still exists, and the harmful effects. Next, I will look at the rights it violates followed by organizations already in place attempting to stop female genital mutilation and cutting. Finally, I will offer doable solutions and recommendations on what we can do to make a positive change.
Where Female …show more content…
As a result, “FGM is often considered a necessary part of raising a girl, and a way to prepare her for adulthood and marriage.” (World Health Organization, n.d.) It is seen that something is wrong with you if you are not married. This shows that the family members who send their children to undergo this procedure genuinely think they are doing something good. It is coming from a place of love, not hatred. The idea surrounding FGM is that they are helping women later in their lives, as men will want to marry them it is a milestone in childhood. Finally, Mulongo, Hollins & McAndrew (2014) state that other reasons this practice is still performed is to allow girls to feel included as it is seen as a secret society for women, cleanliness, as a price or celebration and beauty. (p. 481) If every young girl that you know has had FGM performed on them, it is likely that you may begin to feel different, outcasted, or bullied if you are different than everyone else. There are four different types of female genital mutilation that occur. Andersson et al. (2012) describes the different types of female genital mutilation as the following: • Type I: Partial or total removal of the clitoris and/or the prepuce (clitoridectomy) • Type II: Partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, with or without excision of the labia majora …show more content…
It is important that their voices are heard, respected, and shared.
More than “130 million girls and women have been affected by FGM, which is more than 4 times the entire population of women in the UK.” (UNICEF, n.d.) Female genital mutilation is happening in many different countries all over the world, in multiple different types. Although it is not a religious practice, it is one that is deeply rooted in the traditions of many societies in hopes of helping women, although it is a form of harm and a way to control sexuality. Many women do not have a choice in whether or not this procedure is done to them and affects them both mentally and physically. It is a violation of rights and there are many organizations already in place dedicated to helping stop this practice. In conclusion, female genital mutilation is a harmful traditional practice that should be eliminated through the solutions previously discussed. It is our responsibility to help bring about change. Although it may be difficult and take a significant amount of time, anything is possible and we are capable of achieving great
Where Female …show more content…
As a result, “FGM is often considered a necessary part of raising a girl, and a way to prepare her for adulthood and marriage.” (World Health Organization, n.d.) It is seen that something is wrong with you if you are not married. This shows that the family members who send their children to undergo this procedure genuinely think they are doing something good. It is coming from a place of love, not hatred. The idea surrounding FGM is that they are helping women later in their lives, as men will want to marry them it is a milestone in childhood. Finally, Mulongo, Hollins & McAndrew (2014) state that other reasons this practice is still performed is to allow girls to feel included as it is seen as a secret society for women, cleanliness, as a price or celebration and beauty. (p. 481) If every young girl that you know has had FGM performed on them, it is likely that you may begin to feel different, outcasted, or bullied if you are different than everyone else. There are four different types of female genital mutilation that occur. Andersson et al. (2012) describes the different types of female genital mutilation as the following: • Type I: Partial or total removal of the clitoris and/or the prepuce (clitoridectomy) • Type II: Partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, with or without excision of the labia majora …show more content…
It is important that their voices are heard, respected, and shared.
More than “130 million girls and women have been affected by FGM, which is more than 4 times the entire population of women in the UK.” (UNICEF, n.d.) Female genital mutilation is happening in many different countries all over the world, in multiple different types. Although it is not a religious practice, it is one that is deeply rooted in the traditions of many societies in hopes of helping women, although it is a form of harm and a way to control sexuality. Many women do not have a choice in whether or not this procedure is done to them and affects them both mentally and physically. It is a violation of rights and there are many organizations already in place dedicated to helping stop this practice. In conclusion, female genital mutilation is a harmful traditional practice that should be eliminated through the solutions previously discussed. It is our responsibility to help bring about change. Although it may be difficult and take a significant amount of time, anything is possible and we are capable of achieving great