Female Genital Mutilation

International conference was organized recently in Cairo, Egypt on 24 November 2006 sponsored by German Human Group discussed about Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Most of participant declared Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) to be contrary to Islam and practice is violation.

Most human rights organizations in the West, Africa, and Asia consider female genital mutilation rituals a violation of human rights. They are regarded as unacceptable and illegal forms of body modification and mutilation of those believed to be too young or otherwise unable to give informed consent.

DEFINITON OF FGM
World Health Organization (WHO) refers the definition of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) to as “female circumcision”, comprises all procedure involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs whether for cultural, religious or other non-therapeutic reasons.

Female Genital Cutting (FGC) refers to amputation of any part of the female genitalia for cultural rather than medical reasons. The term almost always excludes gender reassignment surgery, which is usually done for personal rather than cultural reason, or genital modification of intersexuals (wikipedia).

TYPE OF FGM

• Type I : excision of the prepuce, with or without excision of part or all of the clitoris.
• Type II : excision of the clitoris with partial or total excision of the labia minora.
• Type III: excision of part or all of the external genitalia and stitching/narrowing or the vaginal opening (infibulation).
• Type IV: pricking, piercing or incising of the clitoris and/or labia; stretching of the clitoris and/or labia, cauterization by burning of the clitoris and surrounding tissue; scraping or tissue surrounding the vaginal orifice or cutting of the vaginal; introduction of corrosive substances or herbs into the vagina to cause bleeding or for the purpose of tightening or narrowing it, and any other procedure that falls under the definition given above.

COMPLICATION OF FGM
The complications of FGM are vary according to the type and severity of the procedure performed. Common complication are as followed here :

1. Immediate complications include severe pain, shock, haemorrhage, urine retention, ulceration of the genital region and injury to adjacent tissue.
2. Long-term complication include cyst and abscesses, keloid scar formation, damage to the urethra, painful sexual intercourse and sexual dysfunction and difficulties with childbirth.
3. Psychosexual and psychological health: woman may suffer reeling of incompleteness, anxiety and depression.
4. Arisen possibility of transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) due to the use of on instrument in multiple operation.

RECENTLY FACTS

• Most female genital mutilation is practiced by follower of all religious beliefs as well as animist and non believers. It is usually performed by a traditional practitioner with crude instruments and without anaesthetic.
• The age or woman who FGM is performed varies from country to country on infants a few days old, female children and adolescents, and occasionally, on mature woman.
• Most FGM are performed in 28 African countries and some in Asia and Middle East.

FAMILY REASON ON PRACTICE OF FGM

• Psychosexual reasons: reduction or elimination of the sensitive tissue of the outer genitalia, particularly the clitoris, in order to attenuate sexual desire in the female, maintain chastity and virginity before marriage and fidelity during marriage, and increase male sexual pleasure;
• Sociological reasons: identification with the cultural heritage, initiation of girls into womanhood, social integration and the maintenance of social cohesion;
• Hygiene and aesthetic reasons: the external female genitalia are considered dirty and unsightly and are to be removed to promote hygiene and provide aesthetic appeal;
• Myths: enhancement of fertility and promotion of child survival;
• Religious reasons: Some Muslim communities, however, practice FGM in the belief that it is demanded by the Islamic faith. The practice, however, predates Islam.