FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION

The terms female genital cutting (female genital circumcision), female circumcision, and female genital mutilation (female genital mutilation) all describe the cultural practice of partially or totally removing the external female genitalia. The minor form of female genital circumcision   is when the clitoris is removed. The most severe form of female genital circumcision   is when all external genitalia are removed and the vaginal opening is stitched nearly closed. Only a small opening is left for urine and menstrual blood.

Difference between Female Genital Circumcision, Female Circumcision, and Female Genital Mutilation.

All three terms describe the procedure that cuts away part or all of the external female genitalia. Deciding what exactly to call it is still being debated. Some people fear that parents may resent the implication that they are "mutilating" their daughters by participating in this largely cultural event, and so reject the term female genital mutilation in favor of female genital circumcision. Some people point out that the word "cutting" is less judgmental and relates better to terms used in many local languages. However, many women's health and human rights organizations use the word "mutilation" not only to describe the practice, but also to point out the violation of women's human rights.

Previously, some referred to the practice as "circumcision" to link female genital circumcision   to male circumcision. However, this word can hide the serious physical and psychological effects of cutting women's genitals. It also fails to show differences between the different types of cutting. For these reasons, a number of international organizations offer a compromise: "female genital mutilation/cutting (female genital mutilation)."

Female Genital Circumcision and Age.

Female genital circumcision   is performed on infants, girls, and women of all ages. The age at which girls are cut can vary widely from country to country, and even within countries. Most often, female genital circumcision   happens before a girl reaches puberty. Sometimes, however, it is done just before marriage or during a woman’s first pregnancy. In Egypt, about 90 percent of girls are cut between 5 and 14 years old. However, in Nigeria as 2000, more than 65 percent of girls are cut before they are 2 weeks old. The average age at which a girl undergoes female genital circumcision   is decreasing in some countries (Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Kenya, and Mali). Researchers think it’s possible that the average age of female genital circumcision   is getting lower so that it can be more easily hidden from authorities in countries where there may be laws against it. It is also possible that female genital circumcision   is performed on younger girls because they are less able to resist.

Reasons for female genital circumcision practice.

There are many reasons female genital circumcision   is practiced, including social, economic, and political reasons. Those who support female genital circumcision   believe that it will empower their daughters, ensure the girls get married, and protect the family’s good name. In some groups, female genital circumcision   is performed to show a girl’s growth into womanhood and, as in the Aragba-Orogun community, marks the start of a girl’s sexual debut. It also is performed to keep a woman’s virginity by limiting her sexual behavior. Female genital circumcision   is believed (by those who practice it) to stop a woman’s sexual desire. In some groups, women who are not cut are viewed as dirty and are treated badly. While female genital circumcision   pre-dates both Christianity and Islam, religion is also used to promote the practice. Some communities believe that in order to be good Muslims, parents must have their daughters cut.

There are also many superstitions about female genital circumcision, such as:

• The clitoris will continue to grow as a girl gets older and so it must be removed.
• The external genitalia are unclean and can actually cause the death of an infant during delivery.

Female genital circumcision   is often part of a community’s tradition. Most parents who support female genital circumcision   believe they are protecting their daughter’s future marriage prospects, and not hurting her. It is seen by parents as part of a girl’s upbringing.

It is estimated that between 100 million and 140 million girls and women worldwide have received female genital circumcision. There are more than 3 million girls at risk of having female genital circumcision   each year. It is unknown how many women in the United States have received female genital circumcision.

To be continued.........