Female circumcision is a term often encountered when discussing a practice more accurately and internationally recognized as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). This procedure involves the partial or total removal of external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs, for non-medical reasons. FGM holds no health benefits for girls or women and stands as a significant violation of human rights. The use of “mutilation” in the preferred terminology emphasizes the harmful and irreversible nature of the practice, distinguishing it from medical procedures.
Understanding Female Genital Mutilation
The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies Female Genital Mutilation into four distinct types, each involving varying degrees of alteration to the female genitalia. Type I, known as clitoridectomy, involves the partial or total removal of the clitoral glans, the external and visible part of the clitoris, and/or the prepuce or clitoral hood. Type II, or excision, encompasses the partial or total removal of the clitoral glans and the labia minora, the inner folds of the vulva. This procedure may or may not include the removal of the labia majora.
Type III, widely recognized as infibulation, represents the most severe form of FGM. This procedure involves the narrowing of the vaginal opening by creating a covering seal, often through cutting and repositioning the labia minora or labia majora. The labia are sometimes stitched together, leaving only a small opening for urine and menstrual blood. Type IV includes all other harmful procedures performed on the female genitalia for non-medical purposes, such as pricking, piercing, incising, scraping, or cauterizing the genital area.
Underlying Factors and Context
The continuation of Female Genital Mutilation is deeply intertwined with a complex array of social, cultural, and traditional factors within communities. Where FGM is a social convention, the strong pressure to conform to established norms and practices acts as a significant motivator for its perpetuation. This societal expectation often stems from the belief that FGM is a necessary component of a girl’s proper upbringing and her preparation for adulthood and marriage. Families may face social ostracism if their daughters do not undergo the procedure, making abandonment difficult.
Cultural identity plays a substantial role, with the practice sometimes seen as a means to preserve traditions and maintain community cohesion. Beliefs about proper sexual behavior also drive the practice, as FGM is often linked to promoting premarital virginity and ensuring marital fidelity. While some practitioners may believe the practice has religious support, no religious texts or scriptures prescribe FGM; it is a cultural custom rather than a religious tenet.
Profound Health Consequences
Female Genital Mutilation inflicts severe and lasting physical and psychological health consequences on girls and women. Immediately following the procedure, individuals experience intense pain, along with risks of excessive bleeding, hemorrhage, and shock. Infections are common, including tetanus and other serious bacterial infections, which can lead to fever and septicemia. Other immediate physical impacts include urinary retention, swelling of genital tissues, and injury to surrounding tissues.
The long-term physical impacts are extensive and can persist throughout a woman’s life. These include chronic pain, recurrent urinary tract and reproductive tract infections, and menstrual problems such as painful menstruation or difficulty passing menstrual blood. Scar tissue and cysts can form at the site of the cutting. FGM also increases the risk of obstetric complications, such as difficult childbirth, prolonged labor, increased need for Cesarean sections, and a higher risk of maternal and infant mortality. Infertility, painful sexual intercourse (dyspareunia), and sexual dysfunction are also common long-term effects.
Beyond the physical harm, FGM carries profound psychological consequences. Girls and women who have undergone the procedure often experience trauma, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Feelings of humiliation, a sense of betrayal by family members, and a negative body image can contribute to these mental health challenges. A loss of trust can also impact their well-being.
Worldwide Abolition Initiatives
Global efforts to eradicate Female Genital Mutilation involve a multifaceted approach, combining legal frameworks with community-led interventions. International conventions and resolutions have been instrumental in recognizing FGM as a human rights violation and a form of violence against women. The United Nations General Assembly has unanimously passed resolutions condemning FGM, urging countries to implement and enforce legislation banning the practice. Instruments like the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) mandate states to take measures to abolish harmful traditional practices.
Many countries have enacted national legislation outlawing FGM, prohibiting its practice and instituting criminal sanctions. These legal measures often include provisions for victim anonymity and mandatory reporting duties for professionals. However, legislation alone is often insufficient, as the practice is deeply embedded in cultural norms.
Community engagement and education programs form a key part of abolition initiatives. Local non-governmental organizations and civil society groups work directly with affected communities, raising awareness about the health risks and human rights violations associated with FGM. These programs often involve workshops, public discussions, and the use of local media to shift perceptions and encourage collective abandonment. Engaging with traditional and religious leaders, as well as circumcisers, is important for fostering dialogue and promoting alternative rites of passage that do not involve mutilation. Empowering women and girls through local leadership and providing support services for survivors are also important strategies in the global movement to end FGM.