Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is something that has been bothering me a lot, especially when I really got into Feminism in Africa and read about how much it affects girls and women in Africa. I think it is really important for awareness to be raised on this matter because if awareness rises then there are better chances of FGM being stopped.
FGM is practice that is widely spread in the North-East and Sub-Sahara of Africa (28 countries in Africa to be exact) and a few Middle Eastern countries. You would be surprised to know that FGM goes on in UK too. This rite of passage can occur a few weeks after birth to puberty.
There are 3 types of FGM, and they are :
Type 1; Clitoridectomy: this involves the cutting of the the whole or part of the clitoris.
Type 2; Exicios: this involves the removal of the whole or part of the clitoris AND the labia minora (also known as "lips")
Type 3; Infibalation: this involves the narrowing of the vaginal opening through the creation of a covering seal. This seal is formed by cutting and re-arranging the inner and out labia. The clitoris isn't cut for this type of FGM. These procedures are painful, type 3 being the worst and its a shame that its predominant in Djibouti, Eritrea, Somalia, Ethopia and Sudan.
The most appalling thing is that this tradition does not medically benefit girls and women. But shocking statistics show that 101 million girls in Africa have undergone FGM. FGM is a violation of human rights of girls and women. It causes a lot of young girls and women a great amount of pain and trauma. What's even worse in that it is done in unhygienic conditions. The "cutters" use razors and knives to cut the girls and they can use the razor or knife to cut up to 30 girls in a row without changing or cleaning the cutting objects.
This practice has significant effects. Girls and women can die from blood loss and infections. They may also experience: genital ulcers, infection of the reproductive system and post-traumatic stress. Delivering a child can also cause a problem because scar tissues may tear which then makes it difficult for the mother to deliver her child and can increase the deaths of new born babies.I find it extremely shocking that most of the women in the practising countries support this ideology. I think it shocking because if I was in that situation I would not want my child to experience that amount of pain with my consent. This culture is seen as right because it gives the idea that a girl who has been circumcised is pure. Some say that it is an essential part of raising a daughter. It also used as a control of a woman's sexuality. But in reality this isn't what girls want or need but, many have no choice but to get cut. Many have tried to seek asylum to escape their daughters getting cut or inheriting being a "cutter". (in many families the cutter will pass on the job to one of her daughters or grand-daughter).
Thankfully FGM is getting more recognised and hopefully there will be an end to it. When I was doing my research to write this blog I bumped into an advert about FGM. There will be a documentary airing on Channel 4 called " The Cruel Cut" on the 6th of November at 10:45pm. You can tune in and I'm sure that when you see the harsh reality that's been hidden for so long and you'll want to raise awareness for it too.
Leyla Hussein has been raising awareness across the UK. "we believe that the Home Office should take responsibility for drawing up and enforcing the implementation of a National Strategy and Action Plan to eliminate FGM in the UK. Please join us in our call for effective leadership" - Leyla Hussein.
If this topic touched you you can sign your name to the e-petition that Leyla made right now: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/52740 I really hope females and males that have read this get involved and try to get involved to make a difference across Africa. FMG must be stopped.
Thank you for reading. Please leave your comments and opinions or follow me on twitter: @midgetruu
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