Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): The Consequences and Challenges
World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 125 million girls and women alive today have been cut in the 29 countries in Africa and Middle East where FGM is concentrated.
FGM Implications
FGM includes procedures that intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons (WHO).
FGM is normally carried out on young girls from infancy to 15 years of age. The type of FGM performed depends on a girl's culture and religious or geographical background.
WHO has classified FGM into four categories. A close scrutiny of the types of FGM reveals a deep-seated fiendishness and the gravity of the practice.
Clitoridectomy involves partial or total removal of the clitoris and/or the prepuce while Excision entails partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, with or without excision of the labia majora.
Infibulation requires narrowing of the vaginal opening through the creation of a covering seal formed by cutting and repositioning the inner or outer labia, with or without removal of the clitoris.
In addition, FGM may include other harmful procedures, e.g. pricking, piercing, incising, scraping and cauterizing the genital area.
In poor countries, the procedures are mostly performed under poor hygienic conditions often with unsterilized equipment, e.g. rusted blades/knives that can cause infections.
In communities where large groups of girls are cut on the same day as part of a socio-cultural rite, there are increasing risks of HIV transmission through use of shared instrument for a number of operations.
Also, when FGM procedure is done under a traditional setting with no anesthetic or medical treatment, victims often endure prolonged excruciating pain and extended recovery time.
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Immediate FGM complications include severe pain, shock, hemorrhage (bleeding), tetanus or sepsis (bacterial infection), urine retention and open sores in the genital region and injury to nearby genital tissue that can also result into secondary infections.
The long-term consequences comprise cysts, menstrual difficulties, recurrent bladder and urinary tract infections, increased risk of childbirth complications and newborn deaths, possible blood-borne infections such as Hepatitis B & HIV, scarring and keloid.
The damage to the urethra during FGM may lead to obstetric fistula and urethral strictures.
For those who've undergone Infibulation, the need for later surgeries to allow for sexual intercourse and childbirth presents further health risks and complications.
The long-term emotional impacts and psychological trauma, though immeasurable, are irreparable and life-long.
Infertility is another long-term consequence of FGM. Ironically, in various cultures where FGM is practiced, infertility is considered a woman's fault. Women with infertility problems often experience isolation and exclusion especially by community members notably in-laws.
Beyond the physical, emotion and psychological impacts, lies the shame that FGM victims have to persevere. Many women are embarrassed to seek regular genealogical check-ups and medical treatments.
FGM Challenges.
Ending FGM entails a little more than just telling someone, do something.
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