Unveiling FGM: Why Female Genital Mutilation Must Be Stopped

Liah Canedo

Itineris Early College High School

ENGL 2010

Ms. Nisson

Nov 12, 2023

 For centuries there has been a cultural and religious practice that is more or less talked

about, female genital mutilation (FGM). It consists of partial or full removal of the female

genitalia. The practice is considered to be physically and mentally harmful to those who have

had the practice done. Whilst there have been cultural and religious traditions that have praticed

FGM for a long time, the practice has no obvious medical advantage or any humane and ethical

justification for it. There should be more awareness of the fact that it can cause physical,

emotional, and psychological problems for girls and women who may or have undergone the

process.

Origins and Motivations:

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a practice that has been used in various traditions,

with most of its origins dating back to ancient Egypt. The practice, which is connected to

multiple cultures and beliefs, has slowly changed over the years based on where the practice is

being used. While the exact historical origin of FGM still remains sort of unidentified, it should

be taken into note that FGM is not limited to just one certain religion or culture. There are a

couple of motifs as to why FGM is practiced and taught. Some communities have adopted it as a

way for females to transition into womanhood, to prepare them for marriage, and even social

acceptance. While some communities have adopted female genital mutilation as a way of

trancesing into womanhood, a preparation for marriage, or a means of social acceptance, it's

important to acknowledge that FGM has no apparent medical benefit and raises serious physical

and mental health concerns for the girls and women subjected to it. You can see this practice take

action in countries such as Somalia, Sudan, Gambia and other countries residing within the

Middle East or South Asia. Coming to address and ultimately stop FGM, it is important to

understand the historical context and reason why it has motivated so many people to partake in
the practice. This issue continues to affect females all across the world, and the reasons are still

not being questioned as they should be.

Psychological impact of FGM:

The problem with female genital mutilation is not just about the health issue itself but the

mental toll it has on girls or woman. It’s a question that resides around the fact whether it is

considered to be humane or not. It can be logically said that FGM can and will causes real

physical and mental pain. With the mental and physical consequences being mentioned, the

procedure includes 4 different types of FGM. Type I being the full or partial removal of the

clitoris, Type II is the removal of clirois and labia minora, Type III being the most severe where

the clitoris, labia and labia majora are cut. With all three types of the FGM, the genetalia is sewn

together leaving a small hole for urination and blood flow. The cultural practice, being very

harmful, has no scientific backing that states it has any health benefits.These practices are not

only affecting individual women but an entire community. This practice is considered a cultural

norm, so not many young girls who get it done see it as a bad thing, simply because they are

taught what is right for them. The young girls who are told that they will become women or see

how others are influenced positively by it in their community don’t think much of it before the

procedure.

Health risks and brutality of FGM:

Typically the procedure is against their will (without anesthetics), and the excruciating

pain must be an experience where the pain is unexplainable. The scarring of tissue and days of

bleeding leave little girls (or even older women under certain circumstances) traumatized.

Females are either left with deep scar tissue, long lasting bleeding, pelvic pain, infection, and

occasionally death. Essentially the physical and emotional suffering caused by FGM should be
enough to show others why this practice is inhumane. Medical and scientific research has

rejected the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM). Many healthcare professionals, and

organizations such as the World Health Organization have come to find this practice to be cruel

and risky to a girl’s or women's health. They stress over the fact that this has severe physical and

psychological health risks it imposes on women and girls. When we consider the logic and facts

presented by the medical community, it becomes clear that FGM is a harmful and dangerous

practice.

Female Genital Mutilation, which has been practiced for cultural and religious reasons has

been around for a long time. While this practice involves the partial or complete removal of a

woman's genitalia, it's important to recognize that it has serious physical and psychological

consequences. FGM lacks any medical or ethical justification. Raising awareness about the

harms of FGM is important, not only to protect the rights and well-being of women and girls but

also to challenge the communities who are for the practice that brings forth years of pain and

suffering for young girls.

 References

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arted/

Dirkson, M. (2023, September 7). The Ongoing Fight Against Female Genital Mutilation.

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