Female Circumcision: Rite of Passage Or Violation of Rights?

Abstract

Female circumcision involving the partial or total excision of the external female genitalia has been practiced for centuries in parts of Africa usually as a rite of passage for young girls into womanhood and marriage. Female circumcision is currently practiced in at least 28 countries across the center of Africa north of the Equator occurring among Muslims Christians animists and one Jewish sect although no religion requires it. The operation is often performed without anesthesia under septic conditions by lay practitioners with little to no knowledge of human anatomy and medicine. However even though such genital mutilation can cause death or permanent health problems as well as severe pain the practice is perpetuated by practitioners who believe it to be part of their ethnic and cultural identity. Some even consider female circumcision to be a religious obligation. On the other hand some opponents believe female circumcision is a violation of human rights. Prevalence types of circumcision consequences of excision social context efforts to end the practice and prospects for the future are discussed. Substantial change is likely to occur only with improvements in the status of women in society.