Female Genital Mutilation Research Paper

Katie Kurzenknabe

Dr. Hall

English 105

24 October 2015

Female Genital Mutilation Female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as female genital cutting and female circumcision, is the procedure of partially or totally removing the external female genitalia. FGM is mainly associated with Africa; however, the World Health Organization (WHO) suggest that it has existed in all countries at one time or another. The mutilation of girls is a cruel and inhumane act to Americans, but it has a long and meaningful cultural history embedded primarily in African countries; therefore it is not America’s right to get deeply involved and tell them to stop. There are three types of FGM practiced. The first type, Clitoridectomy, is where the clitoris is partially

On the contrary, it is known to be harmful to girls and women in many ways, both long term and short term. Short term health problems include bleeding or hemorrhaging (If the bleeding is severe girls can die), infection (can cause death if not treated), pain, and trauma. Some long term health problems include problems going to the bathroom, problems with gynecological health, increased rick of STI’s , problems getting pregnant/ problems during pregnancy and labor, and finally psychological and emotional stress. “I was genitally mutilated at the age of ten. When the operation began, I put up a big fight. The pain was terrible and unbearable… I was badly cut and lost blood… I was genitally mutilated with a blunt penknife. After the operation, no one was allowed to aid me to walk… Sometimes I had to force myself not to urinate for fear of the terrible pain. I was not given any anesthetic in the operation to reduce my pain, nor any antibiotics to fight against infection. Afterwards, I hemorrhaged and became anemic. This was attributed to witchcraft. I suffered for a long time from acute vaginal infections.” Hannah Koroma, Sierra Leone, Amnesty International. FGM is also considered a violation of basic human rights. According to the World Health Organization (2008), FGM of any type is a harmful practice and a violation of the human rights of girls and women. The WHO views FGM as a violent act against a girl that causes

There is nothing that the US can do to permanently stop FGM worldwide. However, there are some steps that can be made in order to help lower the practice of FGM without force. Education is crucial in raising awareness that FGM threatens women’s and girl’s human rights and can lead to serious health issues. Education is slowly changing attitudes and influencing the choice to not practice FGM. Group meetings may also help change thoughts towards FGM. These meetings should involve the entire community- girls, women, boys, men- along with nearby communities that may also practice FGM. These meetings will provide opportunities for people to discuss their knowledge on FGM and what to consider as other options. Right now, women are made to feel disloyal to their culture by choosing not to have FGM. This pressure can change if doctors and other health care workers would talk with women about the dangers of FGM and offer other options that don’t involve cutting. Men could help reduce the practice of FGM by openly marrying uncut