It has been documented in 28 african countries and in some countries in asia and the middle east, but due to increasing immigration from these countries to the western world, fgm has become a worldwide human rights and health issue. Browse the independents complete collection of articles and commentary on female genital mutilation. Feb 05, 2016 the huge global scale of female genital mutilation has been revealed in disturbing new statistics, which show at least 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone ritual cutting, half. This leaves them with reduced or no sexual feeling. For fauziya kassindja, an idyllic childhood in togo, west africa, sheltered from the tribal practices of polygamy and genital mutilation, ended with her beloved. Female genital mutilation is mostly practiced in the african continent, especially in northeast and eastern africa across the sahel to west africa. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Female genital mutilation in africa paperback june 18, 2003. This mutilating operation is often associated mainly with the religion of islam. Genital mutilation of girls and women psychology today. Female genital mutilation fgm is a practice involving the removal of all or parts of the female external genitalia. Practiced in many parts of the world, fgm violates the dignity as well as the right for many girls to govern her own body. In many communities there is no other path to adulthood.
Who guidelines on the management of health complications from female genital mutilation. An introduction to the demographics of fgm, including prevalence rates, is a necessary antecedent for understanding the cultural rationales for this widespread practice. The practice is mostly carried out by traditional circumcisers, who often play other central roles in communities, such as attending childbirths. Twentytwo of the 28 african countries in which female genital mutilation fgm is practiced have adopted legislations prohibiting it. It is a cultural practice thought to have been established centuries ago, though its origins appear to have been lost in the past. Female genital mutilation definition of female genital. Feb 26, 2018 more than 200 million women have undergone female genital mutilation fgm with 3 million more at risk every single year. Female genital mutilation has been documented in 30 countries, mainly in africa, as well as in the middle east and asia. Fgm is primarily a social practice, not a religious one. More than 200 million women and girls alive today have been victims of female genital mutilation fgm 1 in africa, the middle east, and asia.
An insideroutsider reflects on power and excision, pp. In recent years, female genital mutilation fgm has also been medicalised it is performed by medical personnel to minimise the immediate health impacts and giving those who uphold the. Female genital mutilation is a traditional practice of many different social groups throughout the world, although it is commonly associated with north african. Fgm rates in east africa drop from 71% to 8% in 20 years. Female genital mutilation in africa by daniel njoroge karanja and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Female genital mutilation in african literature 9780955507946. Female genital mutilation fgm is the cutting, or partial or total removal, of the external female genitalia for cultural, religious, or other nonmedical reasons. Female genital mutilation fgm world health organization defined fgm as partial or total removal of external genitalia of the woman or injury to the genitals, on cultural evolution or other nontherapeutic reasons the united nations has estimated that an average of four girls a minute are damaged. International efforts to eliminate it also have a long history. It is usually performed on girls between the ages of four and 10. Hirsi ali is a prominent opponent of female genital mutilation fgm, which she has criticized in many of her writings.
Fcfgm is not exclusively a concern of african governments. Female genital mutilation is recognized both internationally and locally to. Female genital mutilation refers to the partial or complete removal of the external female genitalia. Female genital mutilation fgm occurs in many parts of the world, especially in africa. Understanding and addressing violence against women female genital mutilation female genital mutilation1 fgm is internationally recognized as a violation of the human rights of girls and women, reflecting deeprooted inequality between the sexes.
In this weeks installment of the african politics summer reading spectacular, we draw insights about female genital cutting from bennington. Sep 01, 2015 introduction female genital mutilation fgm is defined by the world health organization who as all procedures that are involved in the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons, and is classified into four categories 1. Female genital mutilation fgm, also known as female genital cutting and female circumcision, is the ritual cutting or removal of some or all of the external female genitalia. The role of youth and icts in changing africa by mariehelene mottinsylla and joelle palmieri jul 1, 2011 3. Female genital mutilation kenya compassion international. Top 10 reasons why female genital mutilation in africa is evil. Insider perpectives on female genital mutilationfgmcutting and strategies for change. Definition also called female circumcision, fgm consists of the removal of part, or all of the external genitalia of a girl or woman. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. It focuses on caring for both physical and mental needs of the vulnerable or suffering and maintains an understanding, holistic and objective approach to the current situation. Despite being internationally recognized as a human rights violation, fgm has been performed on more than 200 million girls and women alive today.
It is typically done between infancy and the age of 15, but adult women may also undergo the. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. This unique book will assist those who care for women and girls who have had, or are at risk of having female genital mutilation. Americanborn women, who have no connection to african, middle eastern, or south asian countries, have fallen victim to the practice, too. It contains colour plates, illustrations, photos and graphs. Understanding and addressing violence against women. Female circumcision, the partial or total cutting away of the external female genitalia, has been practiced for centuries in parts of africa, generally as one element of a rite of passage preparing young girls for womanhood and marriage. Genital mutilation female genital mutilation female genital mutilation fgm is a customary practice affecting the health of children.
All the latest breaking news on female genital mutilation. Nov 07, 2018 the number of girls undergoing female genital mutilation has fallen dramatically in east africa over the past two decades, according to a study published in bmj global health the study, which. Female genital mutilation fgm is of growing concern to health care providers in the united states and canada as more women from countries where the procedure is practiced emigrate to north america. Some forms of female genital mutilation have also been reported in other countries, including among certain ethnic groups in south america. The practice is found in africa, asia and the middle east, and within communities from countries in which fgm is common. Female genital mutilation fgm refers to all procedures involving partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons.
Debates about female genital mutilationcutting fgmc have polarized opinion between those who see it as an abuse of womens health and human rights, to be eradicated, and those who may or may not oppose the practice, but see a double standard on the part of western campaigners who fail to challenge other unnecessary surgical. The purpose of this research is to investigate the issue of female genital mutilation in africa, as one of the biggest social problems that is affecting the majority of women and young girls. The practice is also encountered in europe and north america mostly in immigrant communities from countries where the prevalence is high. Though the issue of female genital cutting, or circumcision, has become a nexus for debates on cultural relativism, human rights, patriarchal oppression, racism. Female genital mutilation fgm is a destructive, invasive procedure that is usually performed on girls before puberty. Female genital mutilation cutting fgm c is a traditional practice in which the external female genitalia is partially or totally incised or excised for a nontherapeutic reason, usually without the consent of the individual. When in the dutch parliament, she proposed obligatory annual medical checks for all uncircumcised girls living in the netherlands who came from countries where fgm is practised. Since fgm is almost always carried out on minors, it is also a violation of the rights of children. Many people incorrectly believe that fgm is solely practiced in africa. In ghana and benin, for example, fgm has been prohibited and.
The jewish and christian view on female genital mutilation. A report on the prevalence of female circumcision and female genital mutilation. May 15, 2017 female genital mutilation refers to the partial or complete removal of the external female genitalia. Jan 01, 2005 female genital mutilation fgm occurs in many parts of the world, especially in africa. Female genital mutilation fgm comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons. It originated in africa and remains today a mainly african cultural practice. According to the world health organization who, its estimated that 91. Female genital mutilation cutting fgmc is a traditional practice in which the external female genitalia is partially or totally incised or excised for a nontherapeutic reason, usually without. In 2002 she founded her own organization in vienna austria, the desert flower foundation. Female genital mutilation fgm includes procedures that intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons the procedure has no health benefits for girls and women. Female genital mutilation fgm is the partial or complete removal of the external.
Often performed without anesthetic under septic conditions by lay practitioners with little or no knowledge of human anatomy or medicine, female circumcision. Keywords circumcision, cosmetic surgery, culture, female genital mutilationcutting, human rights, women ahmadu, fuambai 2000 rites and wrongs. Opinion fighting female genital mutilation the new. The keyword africa in combination with the terms female genital mutilation, female genital cutting and female circumcision, were used to search the databases pubmed, cinahl, web of science and scopus.
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