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. 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. Pdf female genital mutilationcutting in africa researchgate. Fgm is the ritual removal of some or all of the external female genitalia. 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. Please be aware that this story contains a detailed account of what fgm involves, which some readers may find distressing. Notably, the drive to include language specifically condemning female genital mutilation in the platform was led by africans. 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. It is a procedure that involves partial or completely removing the external females genitalia or other injury to the female.
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. According to the world health organisation who, about a 100m women worldwide have undergone the procedure, which happens to. The practices is customarily a family tradition that the young female of the age 015 would experience. Help girls and women thrive generates evidence to inform and influence investments, policies, and programmes for ending female genital mutilationcutting in different contexts. Pdf an overview of female genital mutilation in nigeria. Culture is dynamic and evolves over time, consciously discarding retrogressive traditions, like female genital mutilation fgm, and embracing aspects that are good and useful. Health consequences of female genital mutilationcutting in.
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 critique contesting female genital cutting in africa. In nigeria, fgm is historically predominant in her culture and traditions. The practice is generally carried out with a knife or a razor blade without anesthesia and in nonsterile conditions. Female genital mutilation and the influence of traditional. An africa witness investigation has found that one such practice is female genital mutilation fgm, which. 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 mutilationcutting fgmc is a traditional practice in. Female genital mutilation persists in african nomadic culture. 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.
Almost unheard of in the west, the destruction of a girls sexual organs is a tradition practiced in many african. Around the award winning beautiful serengeti national park greatest wildlife spectacle on earth small african communities are illegally practicing female genital mutilation. Jan 27, 2017 while the prevalence of fgm over the last 30 years has fallen, not all countries have made progress. Jan 27, 2020 a campaign against female genital mutilation in kapchorwa, uganda. Africans, especially, should rediscover positive aspects of their culture. Female genital mutilation fgm, also known as female genital cutting fgc in nigeria accounts for the most female genital cuttingmutilation fgmc cases worldwide. 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. 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.
Opinion fighting female genital mutilation the new. 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. Female genital mutilation a case of the sabiny in kapchowra. On february 6, the united nations will call on the world to fight together to reduce the practice of female genital mutilation fgm. It is a traditional practice thatfor those who support its continuationis considered to be a.
Her book woman at point zero 1975 is a fictionalised version of. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is a traditional practice with severe health consequences for girls and women. Health consequences of female genital mutilationcutting. It is a cultural practice thought to have been established centuries ago, though its origins appear to have been lost in the past. Customs, rituals, myths, and taboos have perpetuated the practice even though it has. The practice is rooted in gender inequality as it attempts to.
Female genital mutilation is a traditional practice of many different social groups. Female genital mutilation fgm occurs in many parts of the world, especially in africa. 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. An introduction to the demographics of fgm, including prevalence rates, is a necessary antecedent for understanding the cultural rationales for this widespread practice. The form practiced varies by ethnic group and geographical location. Female genital mutilation in africa fgm is usually motivated by cultural or religious belief systems, and is more common in some regions of africa. The struggle to end female genital mutilation in africa. Fighting female genital mutilation the new york times.
Female genital mutilation has historically been confined to countries of cultural origin within the african sphere. 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. Fgmc is common in africa with varying prevalence in different countries, though the. Many feel this term circumcision is a euphemism is deem the procedure to be called by the more appropriate name, 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. For purposes of this study, the terms female genital. Female genital mutilation and its effects on women and young girls. In many cultures, it is perceived as a rites or initiation into womanhood as it includes a period of education and seclusion about. Female genital mutilation fgm is a traditional practice in some african countries. As early as the 17th century, christian missionaries and colonial administrations in africa attempted to prevent. Female genital mutilation fgm is of growing concern to health care providers in the united states and canada as more women from countries where the procedure is practiced emigrate to north america. In polite company, its called fgm, which stands for female genital mutilation. History has been made, female genital mutilation banned in.
It crosses the numerous population groups and is a part of. Societies are defined by their settings and practices and belief systems that make up the culture of a community of a society. 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. Feb 11, 2011 some of these practices violate the dignity and human rights of women and children. Although prohibited by guinean law, fgm is widespread. 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. Egyptian government figures put the rate of female genital mutilation among women ages 15 to 49 at 91 percent. 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.
This paper is aimed at developing an insight into a preventable societal issue. Customs, rituals, myths, and taboos have perpetuated the. 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. 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, 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. Pdf female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is a traditional practice in which the external. Female genital mutilation cutting fgmc is a traditional practice with severe health consequences for girls and women. Female circumcision is central to african traditional religion and entails transgression of fundamental rights.
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. It is estimated that 200 million women and girls in 30 countries, the majority of them being africa, have been cut. Experience from ibibio, akwa ibom state of nigeria. History and cultural context female genital mutilation. Fgm secretly happening in south africa africa witness. According to utzbilling and kentenich 2008 two million girls worldwide are involved in these practices p. Female genital mutilation and the influence of traditional cultural practices against women. 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. My hands were tied with a rope and two strong women held my legs apart. 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. Nearly universal in a few african countries, fgm is practiced by various groups in. Female genital mutilation fgm, also known as female genital cutting fgc in nigeria accounts for the most female genital cutting mutilation fgmc cases worldwide. 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. 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.
International efforts to eliminate it also have a long history. Finabas or later known as fina by her adopted family life revolves around her interrupted fgm female genital mutilation initiation process in her village. Female genital mutilation fgm is the current terminology used by the world health organisation who and is familiar to most health care professionals. In somalia and the horn of africa, it was traditionally performed on adolescents as an initiation right to womanhood. Nov 18, 2017 nigeria is ranked third highest in female genital mutilation cutting fgmc prevalence in the world. The practice is also encountered in europe and north america mostly in immigrant communities from countries where the prevalence is high. Somalia is the worst country in africa when it comes to female genital mutilation. The senegalese rapper has become one of the worlds leading campaigners against female genital mutilation kate mossman sat 16 feb 20. The practice is found in africa, asia and the middle east, and within communities from countries in which fgm is common.
A campaign against female genital mutilation in kapchorwa, uganda. There are four types of female genital mutilation fgm also known as female genital cutting fgc. However, the prevalence of fgm extends to some middle eastern, asian, australian, central american, and south american countries, but to a lesser degree. 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. Though the issue of female genital cutting, or circumcision, has become a nexus for debates on cultural relativism, human rights, patriarchal oppression, racism. Female genital mutilation in african literature 9780955507946. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is a harmful traditional practice with severe health complications, deeply rooted in many subsaharan african countries. 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. The practice is also encountered in europe and north america mostly in immigrant communities from countries where the. 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 female genital mutilation also called fgm is a destructive operation.
Female genital mutilation affects a fifth of young girls. May 11, 2017 the first federal prosecution of female genital mutilation has women in the us sharing own stories. Jan 01, 2005 female genital mutilation fgm occurs in many parts of the world, especially in africa. 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.
A seemingly endless parade of moreorless interchangeable articles and books about female genital cutting fgc appeared in the 80s and 90s, each apparently. It is a procedure that involves partial or completely removing the. From infancy in ethiopia, eritrea and mali to sevenmonth pregnant females in nigeria. 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 mutilation is a global issue and it effects approximately 100140 million women and girls worldwide who as cited in lavender, 2009, p.
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. Nigeria is ranked third highest in female genital mutilationcutting fgmc prevalence in the world. More than million girls and women have experienced fgmc in 29 countries in africa and the middle east where the practice is most common. The objective of this study is to perform a first evaluation of the magnitude of the health consequences of fgmc in the gambia. Fcfgm is not exclusively a concern of african governments. These absolute numbers are only behind egypt with 27. Jan 28, 2009 in polite company, its called fgm, which stands for female genital mutilation. Aug 11, 2006 female genital mutilation fgm is a traditional practice in some african countries. Some of these practices violate the dignity and human rights of women and children. 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.
Female genital mutilation is the collective term given to several different practices that involve the cutting of female genitals. The procedure consists of the female genitals being partly or entirely removed or injured with the goals of inhibiting a womans sexual feelings. Female genital mutilation is a valuable reference for healthcare professionals and others involved in social services, teaching, child protection and police services. 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. A black african feminist theory to examine female genital.
Female genital mutilation affects a fifth of young girls in. 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. 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. The first federal prosecution of female genital mutilation has women in the us sharing own stories. Degree programme in social services female genital mutilation fgm is a term used to describe various traditional practices. This briefing derives from my lecture 1 april 2016 on female genital mutilation, to postgraduate students at the liverpool school of tropical medicine.