There is a serious human rights violation that is committed against approximately 6000 girls each day,[i] and many of the more than 200 million survivors living in today’s world[ii] are calling for change. Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a non-medical procedure that subjects women and girls to excruciating pain, but the cutting itself is only the beginning. The practice can leave lifelong physical and psychological scars. For those who have undergone FGM, pain and trauma are likely to affect many areas of life, from the urination to sexual intercourse and childbirth.[iii] Please read on to learn more about what FGM is, the historical and present-day context of the practice, its impacts on the lives of girls and women, and what you can do to help.
What Is Female Genital Mutilation?
Before we get any further, let’s be clear: FGM can be a sensitive topic to discuss.
Any discomfort that you might be feeling is understandable — you are welcome to take a break while reading this post, and come back to it later when you feel ready to digest the content.
However, the survivors who are leading campaigns against the practice of FGM have indicated that breaking the silence around this topic is key to making change.[iv] Given the large number of women whose lives have been severely impacted by FGM, we cannot afford to ignore it any longer.
The World Health Organization (WHO) provides the following definition: “Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.”[v]
The practice of FGM is most common in 30 countries, which are found including Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.[vi] However, FGM occurs all around the world, and there is some evidence that suggests that it is being practiced in Canada.[vii]
FGM has been divided into four types of abuse:.
- Type 1: The external and visible part of the clitoris (clitoral glans), and/or the surrounding fold of skin (clitoral hood), is partially or totally removed.
- Type 2: The inner folds of the vulva (labia minora), as well as the clitoral glans, and sometimes the outer folds of the vulva (labia majora) are partially or totally removed.
- Type 3: The labia minora and labia majora are cut, moved, and sometimes stitched to narrow the vaginal opening; the clitoral glans or hood may or may not be removed.
- Type 4: All other harmful mutilation of the female genitalia is described as being Type 4. Some examples include piercings, pricking, and cauterization. all other harmful procedures to the female genitalia for non-medical purposes, e.g. pricking, piercing, incising, scraping and cauterizing the genital area. [viii]
Where, When, And Why Did FGM Start?
Let’s take a look at the history of FGM. There is no consensus on exactly where and when the practice began.; Ssome academics have suggested that it may have multiple origins, including aAncient Rome, aAncient Egypt, and the slave trade.[ix] FGM has been around for longer than any of our world’s religions,[x] and is not a religious requirement, although the practice is associated with religion and sometimes defended by religious leaders.[xi]
FGM has a history in Western countries, as well. It has been used as a “treatment” for lesbianism, masturbation, and “hysteria.” In other words, European and North American cultures have tried to control the sexuality of women through practices, including the cutting away of the clitoris.[xii]
Today, there are various reasons why communities practice FGM, but the most commonly cited beliefs include the idea that removing a girl or woman’s clitoris will take away her sexual pleasure and thus make her unlikely to engage in premarital or extramarital sex. In some cultures, FGM is seen as a rite of passage into womanhood, or a way to prepare girls for marriage, and those who have not undergone the procedure may be seen as “unclean.”[xiii]
The Lifelong Damage Of FGM
What do we mean when we say that FGM is a human rights violation?
It is a form of violence against women, and the dangers of the procedure are very real and very serious. During, and closely following the procedure, girls are at risk of dying due to complications such as hemorrhaging and the risk of developing infections.
For survivors, urination, menstruation, sexual intercourse, and childbirth can bring intense pain and increased risks of complications.[xiv]
The psychological impacts of FGM are also immense. The cutting is usually condoned, arranged, and sometimes even carried out by a girl’s family members, this violation of trust, combined with the agonizing pain, can lead to severe lifelong trauma.
Additionally, girls who are subjected to FGM are usually minors who cannot consent to the procedure. Having an intimate part of their body stolen from them, which sends the message that their body needed to be altered to be acceptable, can leave emotional scars.[xv]
It is important to note that most or all of the negative impacts of FGM are likely to occur even if the procedure is carried out by a medical professional.[xvi]
Wait A Minute: Isn’t It Culturally Insensitive And Racist To Criticize FGM?
There is a common perception that we shouldn’t campaign again FGM if we are not from a community that practices it, because we don’t understand the cultural context.
While it may be true that the most effective change will come from within a community, as opposed to from outsiders, it is vitally important for us to be aware of the fact that FGM does not belong to any particular culture, religion, or geographic area.
It is practiced around the world, so criticizing the practice does not demonize any culture in particular. Furthermore, 70 per cent of women and girls in girls in countries with high rates of FGM support ending the practice,[xvii] so we can show support by amplifying survivors’ calls for change.
Take Action
We can all play a role in protecting girls and women from the harmful effects of FGM. Some actions you can take include the following:
- Share information about Plan Canada’s work to combat FGM in communities around the world. Please visit this link: https://plancanada.ca/talking-about-female-genital-mutilation for more details.
- Check out the End FGM Canada Network’s website, which includes a guide to getting involved in the movement, by signing a petition, watching a documentary, volunteering, and getting involved with the organization. More information is available at: https://www.endfgm.ca/getinvolved.
For more information contact:
|
Shantelle Bishop Vice President Equity |
Dylan Robinson Equity Coordinator |
References
[i] Fishwick, C. (2014, May 17). What is female genital mutilation? the Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/may/16/what-is-female-genital-mutilation-circumcision-us.
[ii] World Health Organization. (2020, February 3). Female genital mutilation. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/female-genital-mutilation.
[iii] World Health Organization. (2020, February 3). Female genital mutilation. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/female-genital-mutilation.
[iv] Doctor, F. (2020, November 20). Talking about FGM: How a novel made me braver. Fair Observer. https://www.fairobserver.com/culture/farzana-doctor-author-seven-fgm-khatna-survivor-stories-news-125271/.
[v] World Health Organization. (2020, February 3). Female genital mutilation. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/female-genital-mutilation.
[vi] Novakovic, A. (2017, May 15). What is female genital mutilation? Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/241726#prevalence.
[vii] Ontario Human Rights Commission. (n.d.). FGM in Canada. https://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/policy-female-genital-mutilation-fgm/4-fgm-canada.
[viii] World Health Organization. (2020, February 3). Female genital mutilation. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/female-genital-mutilation.
[ix] Llamas, J. (2017, April). Female circumcision: The history, the current prevalence and the approach to a patient. University of Virginia School of Medicine. https://med.virginia.edu/family-medicine/wp-content/uploads/sites/285/2017/01/Llamas-Paper.pdf.
[x] Fishwick, C. (2014, May 17). What is female genital mutilation? the Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/may/16/what-is-female-genital-mutilation-circumcision-us.
[xi] Novakovic, A. (2017, May 15). What is female genital mutilation? Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/241726#prevalence.
[xii] Llamas, J. (2017, April). Female circumcision: The history, the current prevalence and the approach to a patient. University of Virginia School of Medicine. https://med.virginia.edu/family-medicine/wp-content/uploads/sites/285/2017/01/Llamas-Paper.pdf.
[xiii] World Health Organization. (2020, February 3). Female genital mutilation. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/female-genital-mutilation.
[xiv] World Health Organization. (2020, February 3). Female genital mutilation. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/female-genital-mutilation.
[xv] Earp, B. (2017, August 15). Does female genital mutilation have health benefits? The problem with medicalizing morality. University of Oxford: Practical Ethics. https://blog.practicalethics.ox.ac.uk/2017/08/does-female-genital-mutilation-have-health-benefits-the-problem-with-medicalizing-morality/.
[xvi] UNICEF. (2019, March 4). What is female genital mutilation? 7 questions answered. https://www.unicef.org/stories/what-you-need-know-about-female-genital-mutilation.
[xvii] UNICEF. (2019, March 4). What is female genital mutilation? 7 questions answered. https://www.unicef.org/stories/what-you-need-know-about-female-genital-mutilation.