Question

In Chapter 3 of the textbook, you read about female genital mutilation. Perform an internet search to learn more about this practice, answering the following questions:

• What cultures still practice it?
• When is it performed?
• What reasons are given for circumcising females?
• Describe the debate about whether female circumcision/genital mutilation should be banned as an inhumane practice
• What is your thinking on this subject?

Answer 1

Female genital mutilation FGM:

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is the practice of removal of partial or total external female genitalia non-medical reasons. It is mostly carried out by traditional circumcisers.

• Type I called as clitoridectomy
• Type II called as excision
• Type III called asinfibulation
• Type IV

What cultures still practice it?

It is still predominant in sub-Saharan Africa and the Arab States.It also practiced in few countries of Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America. Migrant populations of Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand are also still in prectice.

When is it performed?

FGM is conducted varies between  days after birth to puberty and sometimes beyond. Reports suggest that most FGM carried out on girls between the ages of 0 and 15 years.

It practice have traced from Egypt in the fifth-century BC and some geographical analysis suggest that it originated on the west coast of the Red Sea.

What reasons are given for circumcising females?

The reasons given for circumcising females are:

• In some case, a girl's initiation into womanhood and marriage
• To ensure premarital virginity and marital fidelity

Describe the debate about whether female circumcision/genital mutilation should be banned as an inhumane practice

FGM affects in many ways as given below and should be banned as inhuman practice:

1. Discriminatory reasons should be challenged
2. Change traditions
3. Spread awareness and educate girls on their right to decide
4. Knowledge about risks and realities of FGM
5. FGM causes  prolonged and obstructed labour, sometimes resulting in foetal death and obstetric fistula
6. It causes laceration of tissue during sexual intercourse.
7. Increases risk of HIV transmission.
8. In the longer term, it increases the risk of anxiety and depression.
9. Sexual dysfunction may also contribute to marital conflicts or divorce.