Sunday, April 18, 2010

FGM - (warning "Explicit Graphic")

What is FGM (Female Genital Mutilation)?

Where does FGM happen?
Female Genital Mutilation happens primarily in Africa, in particular in North-Eastern, Eastern and Western Africa. However, it also takes place in the Middle East, in South-East Asia - and also among immigrants in Europe. According to estimates by the World Health Organisation (WHO) 150 millions women are world-wide affected by it. In Europe, the number of mutilated women or girls and women threatened by FGM amounts up to 500,000.

What different types of FGM are there?

The WHO differentiates between four different types of Female Genital Mutilation:
1. Excision of the clitoris prepuce (”Sunna-circumcision”) and of the clitoris or parts thereof.
2. Excision of the clitoris prepuce, the clitoris and the inner lips or parts thereof.
3. Type 1 and 2 are the most common types of FGM: eighty percent of the affected women have gone through these procedures.
4. Excision of part of or all of the external genitals (”infibulation”, also referred to as “Pharaonic Circumcision”). Afterwards the remaining parts of the outer lips are sewn together leaving a small hole for urine and menstrual flow.
5. The scar need to be opened before intercourse or giving birth, which causes additional pain.
6. Infibulation is mainly spread in the Horn of Africa and its neighbouring areas - in Somalia, Djibouti and Eritrea, as well as in the northern part of Sudan and in the southern part of Egypt. It is the most severe form of FGM and affects 15 percent of the women.
7. Pricking, piercing, cutting or stretching of the clitoris or the labia, also burning or scarring the genitals as well as ripping of the vaginal opening or the introduction of corrosive substances or herbs into the vagina in order to tighten it. Plus: any other procedure, which injures or circumcises the female genitalia.

Who performs FGM?

FGM is usually performed by professional circumcisers, women who are enjoying a high reputation in their societies. It is also performed by traditional midwives and occasionally by healers, barbers or nurses or doctors trained in Western medicine.

The procedure is usually performed without anaesthetic and under catastrophic hygienic circumstances. Knives, scissors, razor blades or pieces of broken glass are used as instruments among others. (copied and edited from waris-dirie-foundation website)

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  1. "Cultural relativism" aside; these practices are horrific! The young girls on whom these practices are inflicted, could die from infection or shock -- either before, during or after the surgery!

  2. the same tools are used for MGM (male genital mutilation). Shouldn't we ban that, too?

  3. the point is not the tools used.. its the condition in which they are used... procedures like this should be done under sterile techniques.. MGM is not done so that you can have no pleasure either. its cruel.

  4. All that people doing that kind of procedures is so ignorant and on top of that Stupid... all that is extremely cruel for girls and boys ... all that stupid people deserve to suffer and been mutilated alive in little pieces to die slowly feeling part of the pain they have caused to all those innocent kids!

  5. One, I know there must be a reason why they do this, but looking at type D do they ever expect the female to have sex or babies? I am glad that I live in a country where I HOPE they are not performing FGM that I know of, but we do do male circumsions by parents choice or its tradition if you are of the Jewish belief. GOD BLESS ALL COUNTRIES but especially America we have choices and laws that protect (sometimes) all forms of life. USA USA USA!!! PEACE. ONE.

  6. Its ridiculous.


  8. @ Abdul: Of course! All kinds of mayhem should be banned and there is no excuse of "culture".
    I think this blog deals with female issues, and thats why FGM is discussed. It is a fact that in eastern Africa more women than men have gone through these practics so this issue might be more prominent and discussed more often.
    But MGM is there and definitly needs more attention, you are right in this point.

  9. In Muslim, circumcision for female is totally not compulsory. It just to gain respect for the family members. But for an orphan, circumcision cannot be done on her. But if have to, Muslim only perform female circumcision type 1. TYPE 1 ONLY. But if for type 2 and 3 it's already become genital mutilation. Type 2 and 3 only performed in Africa and few country in Middle East. But actually Muslim only remove half of the clitoral hood skin that cover the glans clitoris. For male circumcision, Muslims do it when the boy reach the age of 9-12(Before puberty) or after puberty(14). But some Muslims do it when the boy is baby like the Jewish do. Please stop female genital mutilation.

    1. Type 1 is still genital mutilation. The clitoris is cut off, that is unbelievably cruel. To say that it isn't mutilation is ridiculously ignorant.

  10. FGM was legal and practised in the USA till very recently i would not boast of something i did not researched

  11. Only Torturers & Sub humans do this sort of thing.

    Its sick and depraved (both for male or female).

  12. Oh ... i hate FGM, thank public this topic ..

  13. Men oppressing women, thats what is all about, the "religious aspect" is just an excuse... if god wanted it to be.. we would be born without certain parts.. its ludicruous!

  14. Thank you for writing this article and for bringing more awareness to this cruel and barbaric practice. Sadly, FGM takes place in most countries, under our very own noses. I believe those perfuming these barbaric practices on males & females should be imprisoned and charged with crimes against humanity. FGM & MGM is a horrific and unnecessary practice. We need to do what we can to stop this from going on.

  15. The best part is, it happens because men don't want women to enjoy...the stupid men don't understand that when woman enjoys the act of sex she, the man enjoys the act too... It's give and make her feel'll become HERO. Then she will do anything to get that special get it...


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