Female genital mutilation (female circumcision)

Abstract

Female genital mutilation is a more appropriate name for female circumcision. About 18 million females in more than 30 countries have undergone genital mutilation. Most of these women are from Africa the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Pharaonic circumcision is the most extensive form. It occurs between 12 months and puberty. It involves removal of the clitoris and the labia minora and majora and closing the opposing sides by either suturing them together or binding the legs together. A small opening for urination and menstruation is left. Sunna circumcision leaves the clitoris but the vaginal opening and the clitoris are covered by sewing the labia together. A third form involves the removal of the clitoris. Nonmedical people who tend to use unsterilized objects usually perform female genital mutilation. Mutilation generally results in complications such as infection recurrent cystitis recurrent vaginitis chronic pelvic inflammatory disease and mental trauma. The girls suffer pain. Subsequent hemorrhage and infection may kill them. Nonmedical problems include sexual dysfunction and marital strife. Neither the Bible nor the Koran support female genital mutilation yet many people claim that it is a religious practice. It has been incorporated into the culture because a girls mother grandmother and other female relatives have had to undergo it and many think it makes girls pure. In 1985 the UK Parliament passed the Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act which calls for female genital mutilators to be either fined or imprisoned. A woman who has given birth or her family may put pressure on an obstetrician to reinfibulate that woman. The surgeon should do only the least amount of reparative surgery to allow the labia to heal and to leave the vagina opening intact. Laws are not enough to prevent female genital mutilation. Education for women men mothers husbands community leaders and communities is also needed. A Royal College of Obstetricians and gynaecologists statement support groups condemning female mutilation.