Female Genital Mutilation
The causes, impact and consequences of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and FGM in the UK
Female Genital Mutilation also known as Female Genital Circumcision/cutting (FGM/C) is the deliberately cutting or removal of female genitals partially or fully for non- medical reasons. This inhuman act is mostly common in African countries and a few Middle East countries. However due to migration, FGM is now been practiced in other countries like: the UK, the USA, Canada, France, Australia etc. In a recent UNICEF publication about FGM, statistics shows that more than 130 million girls and women living in the world today have experienced FGM/C and if nothing is done to eradicate this practice, it is said an additional 65 million girls and women will …show more content…
Although the practice dates back at least 2000 years, not much is widely known about FGM and its origins. What we do know is that, it is not limited to one country or belief system:
In ancient Egypt; the procedure was a mark of distinction among the Nobile and ruling class of society, it started during slave trade when black women entered ancient Arab community, FGM started with the arrival of Islam in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, other believe that the Practiced developed independently among certain groups in Africa. However, overall it was believed that FGM would ensure women’s virginity and reduction in the female desire.
My main focus on this essay is to brief you about the history of FGM and inform you about the various types its health problems and FGM in the UK.
There are four main types of FGM.
Clitoridectomy: The partial or total removal of the clitoris.
Excision: The partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, with or without excision of the labia majora (labia’s are the ‘lips’ which surrounds the vagina. Minora for inner and majora for …show more content…
After FGM has been performed, the girls suffer from immediate effects such as: shock, bleeding, inability to urinate, damage of organs, wound infections for example tetanus, hepatitis B and even HIV/AIDS as a result of using the same equipment, another severe case is where the procedure could result to death through severe bleeding leading to haemorrhagic shock, neurogenic shock as a result of pain and trauma, and overwhelming infection and septicaemia. In addition to the above effects women who have undergone FGM also suffer from various long-term effects- physical, sexual and psychological. Women may experience chronic pain, chronic pelvic infections, development of cysts, abscesses and genital ulcers, excessive scar tissue formation, infection of the reproductive system, decreased sexual enjoyment and psychological consequences, such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Women who have undergone infibulation risk to loss their fertility; also in most of these cases; surgery might be needed for women who aren’t able to have sexual intercourse or before labour time for a safer birth. FGM increases the risk of the vagina tearing during delivery, which causes damage and can lead to heavy bleeding. It can also increase the risk of the baby dying during, or just after
Female Genital Mutilation also known as Female Genital Circumcision/cutting (FGM/C) is the deliberately cutting or removal of female genitals partially or fully for non- medical reasons. This inhuman act is mostly common in African countries and a few Middle East countries. However due to migration, FGM is now been practiced in other countries like: the UK, the USA, Canada, France, Australia etc. In a recent UNICEF publication about FGM, statistics shows that more than 130 million girls and women living in the world today have experienced FGM/C and if nothing is done to eradicate this practice, it is said an additional 65 million girls and women will …show more content…
Although the practice dates back at least 2000 years, not much is widely known about FGM and its origins. What we do know is that, it is not limited to one country or belief system:
In ancient Egypt; the procedure was a mark of distinction among the Nobile and ruling class of society, it started during slave trade when black women entered ancient Arab community, FGM started with the arrival of Islam in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, other believe that the Practiced developed independently among certain groups in Africa. However, overall it was believed that FGM would ensure women’s virginity and reduction in the female desire.
My main focus on this essay is to brief you about the history of FGM and inform you about the various types its health problems and FGM in the UK.
There are four main types of FGM.
Clitoridectomy: The partial or total removal of the clitoris.
Excision: The partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, with or without excision of the labia majora (labia’s are the ‘lips’ which surrounds the vagina. Minora for inner and majora for …show more content…
After FGM has been performed, the girls suffer from immediate effects such as: shock, bleeding, inability to urinate, damage of organs, wound infections for example tetanus, hepatitis B and even HIV/AIDS as a result of using the same equipment, another severe case is where the procedure could result to death through severe bleeding leading to haemorrhagic shock, neurogenic shock as a result of pain and trauma, and overwhelming infection and septicaemia. In addition to the above effects women who have undergone FGM also suffer from various long-term effects- physical, sexual and psychological. Women may experience chronic pain, chronic pelvic infections, development of cysts, abscesses and genital ulcers, excessive scar tissue formation, infection of the reproductive system, decreased sexual enjoyment and psychological consequences, such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Women who have undergone infibulation risk to loss their fertility; also in most of these cases; surgery might be needed for women who aren’t able to have sexual intercourse or before labour time for a safer birth. FGM increases the risk of the vagina tearing during delivery, which causes damage and can lead to heavy bleeding. It can also increase the risk of the baby dying during, or just after