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Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Female genital Mutilation is a procedure involving the deliberate alteration or injuring of a

female’s genitalia for non-medical reasons. It entails the partial or total removal of the female

external genitalia or other injuries to the female genital organs.

Welcome to this month's blog post! Let us know if you have any questions using the Wix chat. Let us help you find out more about FGM!!

Did you know? FGM has been performed on at least 200 million girls and women in 31 countries across three continents, with more than half of those subjected living in Egypt, Ethiopia, and Indonesia.

What is Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)?

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a human rights violation and a very harmful practice that

subjects girls to a much more difficult and challenging life due to its serious consequences.

It is also referred to as Female Genital Cutting or Female Circumcision.

Why does Female Genital Mutilation occur?

You might think that this doesn't happen very often because it does not happen in your region or close circle but in fact, it can very well happen without your knowledge. The reasons why it occurs are:

  1. To safeguard a girl or woman’s chastity

  2. To control a girl’s sexuality

  3. As a marriage prerequisite

  4. As an inheritance prerequisite

  5. As a 'rite of passage' for girls

  6. Cultural beliefs

Some Consequences of Female Genital Mutilation

As you should guess, FGM come with very serious consequences both long and Immediate consequences, some are:


Immediate -

  1. Shock

  2. Severe pain

  3. Bleeding complications

  4. Delayed healing

  5. Increased infection risk

Long term -

  1. High chance of dysmenorrhea

  2. Obstructed labour

  3. Mental health issues such as depression, low self-esteem, psychological trauma, Post-traumatic-Stress-Disorder (PTSD), Anxiety

  4. Hallucinations and severe nightmares

  5. Some may suffer from infertility

  6. Most times, girls are denied education and forced into child marriages

  7. Difficulty to participate in physical activities like sports


Many of these lead to the loss of a victim’s life. The practise of Female Genital Mutilation carries NO health benefits for girls or women. Read up on these effects in more detail here.

Statistics of Female Genital Mutilation In Some Countries:

In the Middle East and North Africa - Almost 50 MILLION women and girls have undergone FGM which accounts for one-quarter of the globes’ population.


In Kenya - 4 MILLION women and girls have undergone FGM with 21% of women and girls between the ages of 15 and 49 being subjected to it.


In Guinea-Bissau - 400,000 women and girls have undergone FGM with 52% of women and girls between the ages of 15 and 49 being subjected to it.


In Ethiopia - 25 MILLION women and girls have undergone FGM with 65% of women and girls between the ages of 15 and 29 being subjected to it.


List of countries where Female Genital Mutilation is still legal:


● Egypt

● Eritrea

● Ethiopia

● Gambia

● Guinea

● Indonesia

● Ivory Coast

● Kenya

● Liberia

● Malaysia

● Mali

● Nigeria

● Sierra Leone

● Somalia

● Sudan

● Yemen

Some Organizations which are Active in the Fight Against FGM are:

  1. The Desert Flower Foundation

  2. Equality Now

  3. 28 Too Many

  4. End FGM European Network

  5. FGM National Clinical Group

  6. Safe Hands

For further information, see this short video on Female Genital Mutilation from a clinical standpoint:



How do you feel about Female Genital Mutilation? Share with us in the comments below.



“We are human beings, we make the traditions so we should have the right to break the traditions.”

- Malala Yousafzai








 
 
 

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