Female Circumcision

In the most parts of the world today, gender equality has progressed significantly. Women are free to pursue their aspirations and desires in a very supportive society. Unfortunately, this is not the case for all women. Millions of girls and women today are fighting for their most basic right, the right to their body. Despite increased backlash female circumcision is still shockingly prevalent in many third world countries. Many advocators of female circumcision argue the procedure is an integral part of culture. Despite the cultural significance of female genital mutilation, the procedure is a violation of rights and causes intense psychological and physical pain for women worldwide. This essay argues for the banishment of female genital mutilation
These advocates fail to mention that girls are essentially forced into the procedure due to society and are forced to make the decision at a very young age. Ninety five percent of female circumcisions take place between the ages of one and sixteen (Wright 254). Girls are circumcised before sexual maturity and the ability to make a drastic decision. In a case study by Pereda and Pérez-González, the women studied were circumcised before the age of eight and were strongly encouraged by town elders to do so (561). Not only are the girls too young to undergo drastic changes to their body, they are also ill-informed on the repercussions of female circumcision. More often than not, the procedure is done by members of the community who are not medically trained. During the circumcision “razors, razor blades, scissors, knives, and occasionally pieces of sharp glass” are used to cut the labia and little to no anesthesia is used (Imoh 40). The circumcision can vary in severity, some circumcisions involve the complete removal of the external genitalia while others remove only the clitoris or external labia. Female circumcision is physically and mentally exhausting, especially on younger women. Not only are young girls and women forced to endure this brutal procedure, they suffer extreme physical and psychological side effects as a
Where do we draw the line between culture and basic rights? Can we support a culture that inhumanely treats half of its members? For most experts, the practice of female circumcision is ingrained in a culture that suppresses women. Female circumcision is meant to “clean” a woman and keep her from sexual desires, and remove “male” parts of a woman. (Wright 252). Women are often forced into circumcision due to societal pressures and desire to maintain position in her community. While advocates say this is “voluntary”, if a woman does not decide to be circumcised her quality of life is dramatically decreased. (Cloward 379). For a girl living in an area with high circumcision, the choice is clear. Unfortunately, the consequences of her action remain. She is haunted by a lifetime of physical and psychological side effects that follow her to the grave. By allowing female genital mutilation to continue, we are supporting a dangerous society that disregards the health of millions of females worldwide. While culture is incredibly important to a community and its people, we cannot support an aspect of culture that leaves women vulnerable emotionally, mentally, and physically, and is causing millions of deaths each year. The banishment of female genital mutilation will save millions of women from dying pointlessly, and will allow for a