FGM is the partial or complete removal of the external female genitalia, and the infliction of other injuries to the female genitalia for no medical reasons.
It includes partial or complete removal of the clitoris, of the labia minora and majora, the narrowing of the vaginal opening by joining the two sides of the wound, leaving only a small opening for urine and menstrual fluids, and any other non-medical injury such as scraping, incising, pricking or burning according to the European Union.
FGM usually results in sexual health problems, pain, infection, problems with sexual intercourse, problems with urination, problems with childbirth, and death.
WHY DO PEOPLE PRACTICE FGM.
FGM is often deeply rooted in communities’ societal and social norms. These norms are passed down from generation to generation which makes it difficult for families or individuals to quit doing it. Sometimes, it is claimed that undergoing FGM will be beneficial for the girl and that it preserves her dignity as a woman.
It is also believed that FGM is part of the process of initiating a girl into womanhood as well as preparing her for marriage. Some believe that women’s’ libido cannot be satiable without removing some parts of their genitalia, especially the clitoris.
Other myths include the belief that the uncut clitoris will grow and FGM enhances fertility and also increases male sexual pleasure.
Whatever reasons, FGM is a crime.
FGM is a crime in all parts of the world including Africa. In many EU countries it is also possible to prosecute for conducting FGM abroad, following the principle of extra-territoriality. This prevents families from taking their daughters to their country of origin to have them mutilated there.
TYPES OF FGM.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are four types of Female Genital Mutilation (Female Circumcision).
Type I is called clitoridectomy and it involves the partial or total removal of the clitoris/ clitoral glans and/or prepuce (the fold of skin surrounding the clitoris).
Excision is type II of FGM. The clitoral glans and the labia minora are partially of completely removed, with or without excision of the labia majora. The amount of tissue that is removed varies widely from community to community.
The third type involves the cutting and repositioning of the labia minora and/or the labia majora to create a covering seal that will narrow the vaginal orifice or opening. This can take place with or without removal of the clitoral glans/prepuce. It is called infibulation.
People who had this type III may need to go through deinfibulation to allow for child bearing and sexual intercourse or for health and wellbeing improvement. A woman who has been deinfibulated may be reinfibulated again usually after child birth.
The last type, type IV involves any other form of harmful procedures to the female genitalia for non-medical purposes like pricking, piercing, incising, scrapping and cauterizing the genital area.
IMMEDIATE EFFECTS OF FGM INCLUDE:
- Severe pain
- Death
- Infections
- Urinary problems
- Excessive bleeding
LONG TERM EFFECTS INCLUDE:
- Sexual problems e.g. painful sex
- Menstrual problems
- Urinary problems like UTI
- Need for later surgery (deinfibulation and reinfibulation)
- Child birth complications