Female+genital+mutilation

Nicolette Irzyk

__**Female Genital Mutilation**__
Female genital mutilation (FGM) also known as female genital cutting (FGC), or female circumcision is a procedure that alters or injures genital organs in a female for non-medical reasons. It has been mostly performed in Africa and also parts of Asia. There are four different types of procedures that are categorized as female genital mutilation. With these procedures come many risks that cause both short term and long term consequences for the female. However, this practice is done for a variety of reasons, ranging from sociological to religious reasons which is why so many females have the surgery. Many efforts have been done and are still occurring in order to help put a stop to FGM.



According to the World Health Organization (WHO) There are four major types of female genital mutilation procedures. (WHO, 2011) According to //Female Genital Mutilation a// clitoridectomy and an excision make up 85% of all the female genital mutilation surgeries that occur (Reymond & Mohamud, 1998).
 * Procedure**
 * 1) A clitoridectomy is the partial or total removal of the clitoris, which is the small and very sensitive erectile part of a females genitals. At times the prepuce is either just removed, or also removed, which is the clitoral hood.
 * 2) An excision is the partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora. This can be done with or without the excision (removal) of the labia majora. The labia are the "lips" that surround the the vagina.
 * 3) The third type is the infibulation procedure. This is done by the narrowing of the vaginal opening by creating a covering seal. The labia is cut and reformed in order to create the cover, this can be done with or without the removal of the clitoris. There is a small hole left in order for the female to urinate and also to allow menstrual flow through.
 * 4) The fourth category is known as the "other" procedures. This includes all the other procedures that are done to the female genital area for non-medical purposes, examples include pricking, piercing, cauterizing (burning with a hot iron).



Female genital mutilation has no positive health benefits. There are both many short term and long term consequences that occur with having any of the different procedures done. According to womenshealth.org immediate consequences include severe pain, shock, heavy bleeding, possible bacterial infections, open sores and even death. Many girls enter a state of shock induced by the psychological trauma, exhaustion from screaming and the severe pain (womenshealth, 2009). Long term consequences include reoccurring urinary tract infections, cysts, painful sexual intercourse, infertility, childbirth complications (cesarean section, stillbirth), and the need for future surgeries (after childbirth needs to be stitched up again). The actual number of girls that die from this procedure is unknown. According to //Female Genital Mutilation// it is estimated that one-third of the girls that undergo the surgery in Sudan will die (Reymond & Mohamud, 1998)**.**
 * Possible consequences**

According to //Child protection from violence, exploitation, and abuse// there are many reasons for why female genital mutilation is done to females: sexual, sociological, hygiene, health, and religious reasons (Walsh, 2010). By doing this procedure it is a way to control or reduce a females sexuality. In the 1950's it was performed in the United States in order to "treat" lesbianism, masturbation, hysteria, etc. (Reymond & Mohamud, 1998). It is also done for a initiation for girls into womanhood and social integration (sociological). It is believed in some African and Asian countries that the female genitalia are dirty, therefore for hygienic purposes the surgery occurs. Some believe that the procedure enhances fertility and also child survival however with all the risks and consequences that come with the surgery, this is very unlikely. There are also religious reasons, which is why so many practice female genital mutilation. According to //Female Genital Cutting, epidemiology, consequences and female empowerment as a means of culture change// no religious text requires a female to undergo the surgery, however many think the two are linked (Donohoe, 2006). Other reasons include preservation of virginity, better marriage prospects, enhancement of pleasure for male and also prevention of adultery.
 * Reasons for practicing**

Female infants to girls of the age of 15 are mostly at risk for this procedure and in some cases adult women as well. Between 100 to 140 million girls and women worldwide are living with the consequences of female genital mutilation (WHO, 2011). This is mostly done throughout Africa (mainly in the eastern and western regions) and also some countries in Asia. It has been estimated that in Africa, about 92 million girls 10 years and older have undergone genital mutilation**.** Prevalence of FGM ranges from 80% to 100% in Egypt, Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Sudan; from 51% to 79% in Mali, Chad, and Liberia; 50% in Nigeria and Kenya; and 20% or less in Senegal, Tanzania, Zaire, and Uganda (Donohoe, 2006).
 * Who's at risk?**

Female genital mutilation has been illegal in the United States since 1997. The practice of FGM on a person under the age of 18 is now a federal crime, unless the procedure is necessary to protect a young person's health. The penalty for violating this law is a fine, imprisonment for up to five years, or both. It is also outlawed in Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, France and many other European countries. There have been many organizations which have condemned the acts of FGM. The cutting of children has been internationally recognized as child abuse and torture. (Reymond & Mohamud, 1998).
 * Legal Status**

In 1997 WHO (World Health Organization), Unicef (United Nation's Children's Fund) and UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) joined together in order to help stop the practice of female genital mutilation. A stronger statement was enforced in 2008 (Donohoe, 2006). Through this more people have been made aware of female genital mutilation, its risks, how to stop it and why it continues. To continue making people aware of this procedure more people need to be informed by having public health interventions, especially involving the people who mostly suffer from the surgery.
 * Efforts to stop female genital mutilation**




 * Works Cited**
 * 1) Donohoe, M. (2006). Female Genital Cutting, epidemiology, consequences and female empowerment. //Medscape.// Retrieved from: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/546497
 * 2) Reymond, L. & Mohamud A. (1998). Female Genital Mutilation. //PATH. Retrieved from:// http://www.path.org/files/FGM-The-Facts.htm
 * 3) Unicef (2010). Child protection from violence, exploitation and abuse. //Unicef. Retrieved from: http://www.unicef.org/protection/index_genitalmutilation.html//
 * 4) Walsh, C. (2009). Female Genital Cutting. //Women's Health.// Retrieved from: http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/female-genital-cutting.cfm
 * 5) WHO (2010). Female genital mutilation. //WHO. Retrieved from:// http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs241/en/