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Female Genital Mutilation: All Saints University School of Medicine Kehinde O. Akinmade

Female genital mutilation (FGM) involves partial or total removal of external female genitalia and can be practiced in four types, ranging from removal of the clitoral hood to removal of the clitoris and labia, sometimes sewn closed. Over 200 million girls and women have undergone FGM, which is practiced in parts of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East for cultural and non-medical reasons. FGM has no health benefits and can cause complications including hemorrhage, infection, urinary problems, childbirth difficulties, and psychological trauma. While the practice remains entrenched in some communities in Nigeria, efforts are being made through education and legislation to eliminate FGM.

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Akinmade Ayobami
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110 views

Female Genital Mutilation: All Saints University School of Medicine Kehinde O. Akinmade

Female genital mutilation (FGM) involves partial or total removal of external female genitalia and can be practiced in four types, ranging from removal of the clitoral hood to removal of the clitoris and labia, sometimes sewn closed. Over 200 million girls and women have undergone FGM, which is practiced in parts of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East for cultural and non-medical reasons. FGM has no health benefits and can cause complications including hemorrhage, infection, urinary problems, childbirth difficulties, and psychological trauma. While the practice remains entrenched in some communities in Nigeria, efforts are being made through education and legislation to eliminate FGM.

Uploaded by

Akinmade Ayobami
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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FEMALE GENITAL

MUTILATION
ALL SAINTS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
KEHINDE O. AKINMADE
Introduction
WHAT IS FEMALE GENITAL
MUTILATION?
• Female genital mutilation (FGM) is defined by the World Health Organization
(WHO) as all procedures which involve partial or total removal of the external
female genitalia or injury to the female genital organs, whether for cultural or
any other non-medical reasons.
• It is an unhealthy traditional practice imposed on girls and women worldwide.
FGM is widely recognized as a violation of human rights, which is deeply rooted
in cultural beliefs and perceptions over decades and generations with no easy
task for change.
• Now many will question themselves, among all topics and issues going on in this world,
why should Female Genital Mutilation be considered important?
• Though the exact number of girls and women worldwide who have undergone FGM
remains unknown, at least 200 million girls and women alive today living in 31 countries
have undergone FGM. Its burden is seen in Nigeria, Egypt, Mali, Eritrea, Sudan, Central
African Republic, and northern part of Ghana where it has been an old traditional and
cultural practice of various ethnic groups. The highest prevalence rates are found in
Somalia and Djibouti where FGM is virtually universal.
• Researchers accept that it basically began during the rise of slave exchange when ladies
entered the Arab social orders. Some people believe the foundations of FGM came with the
arrival of Islam with a connection of Arabs developed within the different ethnic groups
mainly in sub-Saharan Africa as a sign of puberty rites. They thought about FGM as a way
that guaranteed ladies' virginity and lessens chances of sex or diminishes female longing.
Types Of Female Genital Mutilation
Female genital mutilation can be undergone in many ways:
• Type I: The practice in type 1 is said to be the least severe form of FGM. It involves the removal
of the prepuce or the hood of the clitoris and all or part of the clitoris. In Nigeria, this usually
involves excision of only a part of the clitoris.
• Type II: In Type II which is known as “sunna” is a more severe practice that involves the removal
of the clitoris along with partial or total excision of the labia minora.
• Type III: The stage in Type III is the most severe form of FGM. It involves the removal of the
clitoris, the labia minora and adjacent medial part of the labia majora and the stitching of the
vaginal orifice, leaving an opening of the size of a pin head to allow for menstrual flow or urine.
This stage is known as infibulation.
• Type IV: This involves other unclassified types which includes cutting, pricking, piercing, or
incision of the clitoris, cutting of the vagina, stretching the clitoris, cauterization, the introduction
of corrosive substances and herbs in the vagina, and other forms.
Does Female Genital Mutilation Have Health Benefits?
An estimated 100–140 million girls and women worldwide are currently living with the
consequences of FGM. In Africa, about 3 million girls are at risk for FGM annually. Despite
the increased international and little national attention, the prevalence of FGM overall has
declined very little. The procedure has no health benefits for girls and women.
Adverse consequences of FGM are shock from pain and hemorrhage, infection, acute urinary
retention following such trauma, damage to the urethra or anus in the struggle of the victim
during the procedure making the extent of the operation dictated in many cases by chance,
chronic pelvic infection, acquired gynatresia resulting in hematocolpos, vulva adhesions,
dysmenorrhea, retention cysts, and sexual difficulties with anorgasmia.
Prolonged labor, delayed 2nd stage and obstructed labor leading to fistulae formation, and
increased perinatal morbidity and mortality have been associated with FGM.
• The mental and psychological agony attached with FGM is deemed the most serious
complication because the problem does not manifest outwardly for help to be offered. The
young girl is in constant fear of the procedure and after the ritual she dreads sex because of
anticipated pain and dreads childbirth because of complications caused by FGM. Such girls
may not complain but end up becoming frigid and withdrawn resulting in marital
disharmony.
• Before we move to ways FGM could be reduced in Nigeria my country, let me give you a
brief information on the current state in Nigeria regarding FGM
Current Situation Of Female Genital Mutilation In Nigeria
FGM is still deeply entrenched in the Nigerian society where critical decision makers are
grandmothers, mothers, women, opinion leaders, men and age groups. Just imagine living
most of your adult life not being able to make decisions on your own.
FGM is an extreme example of discrimination based on sex. Often used as a way to control
women's sexuality, the practice is closely associated with girls’ marriageability Mothers chose
to subject their daughters to the practice to protect them from being ostracized, beaten,
shunned, or disgraced.
Effort To Eliminate Female Genital Mutilation
It is true that tradition and culture are important aspects of any society in helping to
mould the views and behavioral patterns of the society; some traditions and cultural
beliefs and practices like FGM are harmful and must be abolished. A multidisciplinary
approach is needed to tackle this deep-rooted legendary practice of FGM.

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