The critique contesting female genital cutting in africa. Female genital mutilation has historically been confined to countries of cultural origin within the african sphere. Female genital mutilation is the collective term given to several different practices that involve the cutting of female genitals. The practice is generally carried out with a knife or a razor blade without anesthesia and in nonsterile conditions. Culture plays an important role not only in giving a society or a group an identity but it also acts as a unifying factor for the members of the community. Female genital mutilation fgm, euphemistically called female circumcision, is defined by the world health organization who as all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitals, or injury to the female genital organs for nontherapeutic reasons. Health consequences of female genital mutilationcutting. Fcfgm is not exclusively a concern of african governments. Before the girls hit puberty is usually when it is performed.
And why understanding culture matters in the first place female genital mutilation fgm, also known as female circumcision has been practiced traditionally for centuries in subsaharan africa. Her book woman at point zero 1975 is a fictionalised version of. Aug 11, 2006 female genital mutilation fgm is a traditional practice in some african countries. It is a cultural practice thought to have been established centuries ago, though its origins appear to have been lost in the past. What you need to know about female genital mutilation. An africa witness investigation has found that one such practice is female genital mutilation fgm, which is secretly taking place in some migrant communities in south africa. Female genital mutilation a case of the sabiny in kapchowra. Female genital mutilation fgm, also known as female genital cutting fgc or female circumcision, refers to a variety of operations involving the partial or total removal or alteration of female genitalia. A campaign against female genital mutilation in kapchorwa, uganda. Egyptian government figures put the rate of female genital mutilation among women ages 15 to 49 at 91 percent. Fgm is the ritual removal of some or all of the external female genitalia. According to the world health organisation who, about a 100m women worldwide have undergone the procedure, which happens to. The struggle to end female genital mutilation in africa.
Female genital mutilation fgm is a term used to describe various traditional practices that involve the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for cultural and traditional reasons in many african societies. In many cultures, it is perceived as a rites or initiation into womanhood as it includes a period of education and seclusion about. Even though some societies see female genital mutilation as virtuous for the victims, spouse and the family in addition to serving as a step for the fulfilment of traditional requirements, there. The procedure consists of the female genitals being partly or entirely removed or injured with the goals of inhibiting a womans sexual feelings. Somalia is the worst country in africa when it comes to female genital mutilation. The form practiced varies by ethnic group and geographical location.
Culture is dynamic and evolves over time, consciously discarding retrogressive traditions, like female genital mutilation fgm, and embracing aspects that are good and useful. Opinion fighting female genital mutilation the new. A seemingly endless parade of moreorless interchangeable articles and books about female genital cutting fgc appeared in the 80s and 90s, each apparently. As early as the 17th century, christian missionaries and colonial administrations in africa attempted to prevent. Female genital mutilation fgm, also known as female genital cutting fgc in nigeria accounts for the most female genital cutting mutilation fgmc cases worldwide. Female genital mutilation, which is also called female circumcision, is commonly performed on young girls without anesthesia, and is extremely painful and traumatizing, unicef said. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is a traditional practice in which the external female genitalia is partially or totally incised or excised for a nontherapeutic reason, usually without. Female genital mutilation is a global issue and it effects approximately 100140 million women and girls worldwide who as cited in lavender, 2009, p. The senegalese rapper has become one of the worlds leading campaigners against female genital mutilation kate mossman sat 16 feb 20.
A black african feminist theory to examine female genital. Jan 27, 2017 while the prevalence of fgm over the last 30 years has fallen, not all countries have made progress. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is a traditional practice in. Female genital mutilation persists in african nomadic culture. Finabas or later known as fina by her adopted family life revolves around her interrupted fgm female genital mutilation initiation process in her village.
Dec 05, 2007 one witnesses the ready assumption that any deliberate modification of the female and even the male anatomy is an example of oppression or torture as though we should begin describing the jewish practice as male genital mutilation and that these comingofage and gender identity or group identity ceremonies of african mothers should. More than 200 million women and girls alive today have been victims of female genital mutilation fgm 1 in africa, the middle east, and asia. Jan 28, 2009 in polite company, its called fgm, which stands for female genital mutilation. It is a procedure that involves partial or completely removing the external females genitalia or other injury to the female. There are four types of female genital mutilation fgm also known as female genital cutting fgc. It is a traditional practice thatfor those who support its continuationis considered to be a. Against this background of activity and changing emphasis, the plight of fauziya kassindja, a 17yearold woman from togo, focused public attention in the united states on female circumcision. Fighting female genital mutilation the new york times. It occurs mainly in countries along a belt stretching from senegal in west africa to somalia in east africa and to yemen in the middle east, but it is also practised in some parts of southeast asia. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is a harmful traditional practice with severe health complications, deeply rooted in many subsaharan african countries.
Female genital mutilation affects a fifth of young girls. Oct 25, 2016 finabas or later known as fina by her adopted family life revolves around her interrupted fgm female genital mutilation initiation process in her village. Although prohibited by guinean law, fgm is widespread. The practice is also encountered in europe and north america mostly in immigrant communities from countries where the. Customs, rituals, myths, and taboos have perpetuated the. Pdf an overview of female genital mutilation in nigeria.
Degree programme in social services female genital mutilation fgm is a term used to describe various traditional practices. However, the prevalence of fgm extends to some middle eastern, asian, australian, central american, and south american countries, but to a lesser degree. Sep, 2016 culture is dynamic and evolves over time, consciously discarding retrogressive traditions, like female genital mutilation fgm, and embracing aspects that are good and useful. Female genital mutilation affects a fifth of young girls in subsaharan africa this article is more than 6 years old problems such as violence, child marriage and fgm are. Societies are defined by their settings and practices and belief systems that make up the culture of a community of a society. In the novel, the deadly practice of fgm is a comingofage event where a girl finally becomes a woman and belongs to the people of the village. Female circumcision is central to african traditional religion and entails transgression of fundamental rights. Nov 18, 2017 nigeria is ranked third highest in female genital mutilation cutting fgmc prevalence in the world. This paper is aimed at developing an insight into a preventable societal issue.
International efforts to eliminate it also have a long history. Jan 01, 2005 female genital mutilation fgm occurs in many parts of the world, especially in africa. Customs, rituals, myths, and taboos have perpetuated the practice even though it has. Female genital mutilation fgm is a traditional practice in some african countries. Female genital mutilation fgm occurs in many parts of the world, especially in africa. Female genital mutilation cutting fgmc is a traditional practice with severe health consequences for girls and women. The first federal prosecution of female genital mutilation has women in the us sharing own stories. According to the world health organisation who, about a 100m women worldwide have undergone the procedure, which happens to 3m girls under 10 every year. It crosses the numerous population groups and is a part of. Feb 11, 2011 some of these practices violate the dignity and human rights of women and children. Female genital mutilation cutting fgmc is a traditional practice in which the external female genitalia is partially or totally incised or excised for a nontherapeutic reason, usually without.
Female genital mutilation fgm, also known as female genital cutting and female circumcision, is the ritual cutting or removal of some or all of the external female genitalia. The practices is customarily a family tradition that the young female of the age 015 would experience. It is proven to have no health benefits for girls and women and is most often performed in nonmedical settings, meaning it is an extremely painful and dangerous experience. More than million girls and women have experienced fgmc in 29 countries in africa and the middle east where the practice is most common. And yet, despite repeated assurances that women arent particularly sexual creatures, in cultures around the world men have gone to extraordinary lengths to control female libido. History and cultural context female genital mutilation. Female genital mutilation is a traditional practice of many different social groups. Fgm secretly happening in south africa africa witness. Though the issue of female genital cutting, or circumcision, has become a nexus for debates on cultural relativism, human rights, patriarchal oppression, racism. An introduction to the demographics of fgm, including prevalence rates, is a necessary antecedent for understanding the cultural rationales for this widespread practice. Health consequences of female genital mutilationcutting in. Africans, especially, should rediscover positive aspects of their culture.
Female genital mutilation affects a fifth of young girls in. From infancy in ethiopia, eritrea and mali to sevenmonth pregnant females in nigeria. In somalia and the horn of africa, it was traditionally performed on adolescents as an initiation right to womanhood. My hands were tied with a rope and two strong women held my legs apart. The practice is also encountered in europe and north america mostly in immigrant communities from countries where the prevalence is high.
Almost unheard of in the west, the destruction of a girls sexual organs is a tradition practiced in many african. Female genital mutilation is a valuable reference for healthcare professionals and others involved in social services, teaching, child protection and police services. Female genital mutilation and its effects on women and young girls. Female genital mutilation fgm is the current terminology used by the world health organisation who and is familiar to most health care professionals. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is a traditional practice with severe health consequences for girls and women. Caseworkers involved with asylum seekers and refugees, childrens charities, and policy makers and shapers will also find it useful, as will researchers and academics. Female genital mutilation fgm also known as cutting or female circumcision is a procedure carried out on girls and young women which involves removing some or all of the external genitals. Female genital mutilation and the influence of traditional. Female genital mutilation or cutting fgmc is the act of either partially or totally removing the external female genitalia or causing injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical purposes.
The issue of female genital mutilation, a practice encompassing a partial or complete removal of the clitoris, has been a tricky and contentious subject for. One witnesses the ready assumption that any deliberate modification of the female and even the male anatomy is an example of oppression or torture as though we should begin describing the jewish practice as male genital mutilation and that these comingofage and gender identity or group identity ceremonies of african mothers should. Many feel this term circumcision is a euphemism is deem the procedure to be called by the more appropriate name, female genital mutilation. The practice is found in africa, asia and the middle east, and within communities from countries in which fgm is common. An africa witness investigation has found that one such practice is female genital mutilation fgm, which. Jan 27, 2020 a campaign against female genital mutilation in kapchorwa, uganda.
Female genital mutilation fgm, also known as female circumcision, comprises of all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for nonmedical reasons. Nearly universal in a few african countries, fgm is practiced by various groups in. Notably, the drive to include language specifically condemning female genital mutilation in the platform was led by africans. Experience from ibibio, akwa ibom state of nigeria. Female genital mutilation fgm, also known as female genital cutting fgc in nigeria accounts for the most female genital cuttingmutilation fgmc cases worldwide. Help girls and women thrive generates evidence to inform and influence investments, policies, and programmes for ending female genital mutilationcutting in different contexts. The objective of this study is to perform a first evaluation of the magnitude of the health consequences of fgmc in the gambia. In polite company, its called fgm, which stands for female genital mutilation. By hassan isilow for nearly 17 years, migrants from all over the world have been flocking to south africa, bringing with them their cultural practices. It is a procedure that involves partial or completely removing the. May 11, 2017 the first federal prosecution of female genital mutilation has women in the us sharing own stories. Population fund programme, opted to use female genital cutting fgc instead of female genital mutilation which was thought to imply excessive judgment by outsiders as well as insensitivity towards individuals who have undergone the procedure, ni mhordha 2007. Around the award winning beautiful serengeti national park greatest wildlife spectacle on earth small african communities are illegally practicing female genital mutilation.
The world health organisation who and the united nations childrens fund unicef define female genital mutilation as all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons. In nigeria, fgm is historically predominant in her culture and traditions. The notes will be updated occasionally, and will i hope serve as an introduction to most of the issues arising in the eradication of fgm, in both lowresource and more structured settings. Fgmc is common in africa with varying prevalence in different countries, though the. For purposes of this study, the terms female genital. Nigeria is ranked third highest in female genital mutilationcutting fgmc prevalence in the world. Female genital mutilation and the influence of traditional cultural practices against women. On february 6, the united nations will call on the world to fight together to reduce the practice of female genital mutilation fgm. African commission on human and peoples rights african commission, the enforcement body of the african charter on human and peoples rights, has expressly noted the persistence of traditional practices that are harmful to women and children in some african countries such as female genital mutilation. The term female circumcision is inappropriate as it implies that the procedure is analogous to male circumcision when in fact a much more extensive amount of tissue is removed.
Jan 30, 2014 female genital mutilation affects a fifth of young girls in subsaharan africa this article is more than 6 years old problems such as violence, child marriage and fgm are widespread across some of. Female genital mutilation female genital mutilation also called fgm is a destructive operation. It is estimated that 200 million women and girls in 30 countries, the majority of them being africa, have been cut. Some of these practices violate the dignity and human rights of women and children. These absolute numbers are only behind egypt with 27. Please be aware that this story contains a detailed account of what fgm involves, which some readers may find distressing. Nov 17, 2014 egyptian government figures put the rate of female genital mutilation among women ages 15 to 49 at 91 percent. Female genital mutilation in african literature 9780955507946. Apr 15, 2009 female genital mutilation, which is also called female circumcision, is commonly performed on young girls without anesthesia, and is extremely painful and traumatizing, unicef said. Pdf female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is a traditional practice in which the external. According to utzbilling and kentenich 2008 two million girls worldwide are involved in these practices p. Female genital mutilation in africa fgm is usually motivated by cultural or religious belief systems, and is more common in some regions of africa. Procedures involving the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or injury to the female genital organs are termed either female circumcision or female genital mutilation. Pdf female genital mutilationcutting in africa researchgate.
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