FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM)

According to UNICEF, Female Genital Mutilation (or female genital cutting), comprises all surgical procedures involving partial or total removal of the external genitalia or other injuries to the female genital organs for cultural or other non-therapeutic reasons.

Photo source: Google images

It is also referred to as female circumcision. Circumcision is believed to have originated from the Holy books (Bible and Koran). It is usually performed on males and according to the Bible, an uncircumcised male is impure. The origin of FGM is something I cannot particularly place my hands on but one thing we must understand is that FGM is harmful and dangerous to females. Certain tribes circumcise their girls just before she is given out in marriage (usually when she clock 18 years) while others perform this rite when the female child is a few weeks to a few months old. 

The rite is done mostly by mature women who like to believe they are experienced. They use razors and towels. The razor to cut out a part or the whole clitoris and the towel to clean up. The cut region usually 'heals' up in a matter of weeks and the now circumcised girl is accepted in her society. 

What some people do not understand is that the girl child loses a part of her. She stands the risk of having an infection that would affect her throughout her lifetime. She may, through this means, be infected with HIV/AIDS. 

In the worst of cases it can lead to: 

(i) the opening of passages between the vagina and bladder or anus, producing Vesico - Vaginal Fistula (VVF), a condition more commonly associated with the results of obstructed labor in early pregnancy but arising also in some cases from the cutting open of infibulated women; 

(ii) Recto –Vaginal Fistula (RVF) - where due to age of the pregnant girl –whose pelvis and birth canal are not fully developed, relentless pressure from the baby’s skull damages the birth canal, causing breakage in the wall, allowing uncontrollable leakage from the bladder into vagina or uncontrollable leakage of faeces (UNICEF).

A passionate activist, upon research, discovered that clay and herbs are shoved into the vagina before it is sewn up.
The FGM believers have this weird theory that an uncircumcised girl will not be able to control her sexual urge and this would make her have sex with every man she comes across so in order to avoid this, whatever stimulates her sexual urge should be removed. As far as I am concerned, it is a wicked and barbaric act and the fact that it is still practiced in this century is just pathetic. 

Photo source: Google images

Many anti-FGM organizations have been birthed to save potential FGM victims from going through this act. I also lend a voice and hope we all do same. Save our girls, stop FGM!