Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) involves procedures that intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. This practice is recognized globally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women. While FGM is a worldwide concern, Somalia faces an exceptionally high prevalence, with nearly all women and girls in the country having undergone some form of the procedure.
Forms of FGM in Somalia
The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies Female Genital Mutilation into four main types based on the extent of the procedure.
Type I (Clitoridectomy): Partial or total removal of the clitoris, and sometimes the prepuce.
Type II (Excision): Partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, with or without excision of the labia majora.
Type III (Infibulation): This is the most severe form and is highly prevalent in Somalia. It involves the narrowing of the vaginal opening through the creation of a seal, formed by cutting and repositioning the labia, with or without removal of the clitoris. The remaining tissue is then stitched together, leaving only a small opening for urine and menstrual blood.
Type IV: All other harmful procedures to the female genitalia for non-medical purposes, such as pricking, piercing, incising, scraping, and cauterizing.
In Somalia, Type III is the most commonly practiced form, affecting an estimated 80% or more of girls who undergo FGM, typically between the ages of 4 and 11 years. These procedures are often performed by traditional practitioners using unsterilized instruments.
Reasons for its Persistence
The continuation of Female Genital Mutilation in Somalia is deeply rooted in a complex web of socio-cultural, traditional, and historical factors. Many communities view the practice as a necessary tradition that ensures a girl’s acceptance within society and prepares her for marriage. There is a strong belief that FGM enhances hygiene and preserves virginity, qualities highly valued in a bride. This perception often links a girl’s “purity” and suitability for marriage directly to whether she has undergone the procedure.
Community acceptance plays a substantial role, as families often feel immense pressure to conform to prevailing social norms. The fear of social ostracism or difficulty in finding a suitable husband for their daughters can compel parents to continue the practice, even if they harbor private reservations.
While often associated with religious beliefs, FGM is not mandated by any major religious texts and is widely recognized as a cultural rather than a religious obligation. This widespread misconception, however, contributes significantly to its persistence, as many believe it is a religious requirement.
Impacts on Health and Well-being
Female Genital Mutilation inflicts severe and lasting physical and psychological harm on survivors.
Immediate Consequences
Immediately following the procedure, girls often experience intense pain, significant hemorrhage, and infections that can lead to fever, sepsis, tetanus, and shock. The unhygienic conditions under which many procedures are performed increase the risk of serious infections, including the potential for HIV transmission if instruments are not sterilized.
Chronic and Long-Term Physical Effects
Many survivors face chronic pain, recurrent urinary problems, including frequent infections and painful urination, as well as menstrual issues due to obstructed flow. The long-term physical consequences are extensive, particularly with infibulation. Childbirth becomes significantly complicated, increasing the risk of obstructed labor, severe tears, postpartum hemorrhage, and higher rates of stillbirth and neonatal death. Fistulas, abnormal openings between the vagina and bladder or rectum, can also develop, leading to incontinence.
Psychological and Emotional Trauma
The psychological and emotional trauma is profound, often resulting in anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Survivors may also experience a loss of trust in family members who permitted the procedure, along with severe sexual dysfunction and reduced sexual pleasure, further impacting their overall well-being.
Initiatives to Eradicate FGM
Numerous efforts are underway at local, national, and international levels to eliminate Female Genital Mutilation in Somalia.
Community Engagement and Awareness
Community-based organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including UNFPA and UNICEF, are at the forefront, implementing extensive awareness campaigns and educational programs. These initiatives aim to inform communities about the severe health consequences of FGM and challenge the socio-cultural norms that perpetuate it. International bodies also provide support, funding, and technical expertise to these local efforts.
A primary approach involves engaging religious and community leaders, who hold considerable influence, to speak out against the practice. Their involvement helps to dispel the misconception that FGM is a religious requirement and encourages communities to abandon it.
Legal Framework Challenges
Despite international conventions and ongoing advocacy, Somalia’s legal framework concerning FGM remains a challenge. The Somali Penal Code of 1962 does not explicitly prohibit FGM, and efforts to enact specific, comprehensive legislation have faced considerable political and social hurdles.
Alternative Approaches and Support
Promoting alternative rites of passage that celebrate a girl’s transition to womanhood without involving harmful procedures is another strategy. This empowers women and girls through education and economic opportunities to enhance their agency and decision-making power, envisioning a future free from FGM. Additionally, providing medical and psychosocial support services to FGM survivors is a key part of these efforts.