Female Genital Mutilation
Female Genital Mutilation
Between 120 million to 140 million women in the African continent are estimated to have undergone the inhumane tradition of Female Genital Mutilation (Martinelli & Ollé-Goig, 2012). FGM, a controversial topic is described as the partial or complete cutting of the external female genitalia. It is said to be a social ritual and tradition that is still taking place in 28 countries from Africa to Asia to the Middle East (Abdulcadir, Margairaz, Boulvain & Irion, 2011). Some of the countries include Sudan, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Ethiopia, , Benin, Somalia, Indonesia, Djibouti, Malaysia, Uganda, Yemen, Eritrea, Oman, Iran, Iraq and among immigrant communities in Europe, Canada, United States (Abdulcadir et al., 2011). According to the UNICEF, Genital cutting is actually supported by false beliefs and tradition that is directly related to illiteracy, poverty and women status. This practice is done in rural areas, by unpracticed women who use unsterile razors, blades, broken glass or knifes which leads to future complications for the young woman. This practice is also often done on girls age 4-11. Any girl who is does not undergo the procedure can bring shame to the family; this is the reason why all girls within a specific culture go through this type of practice.
History of FGM
It is not identified till now where the FGM actually originated but it seems that it was practiced before 5th century BC. It was known as Herodotus in 5th century then changed to Starbo in 25 BC and then to Soramus and Aietus in 138 AD and 575 AD. The difficulty to find FGM 's origin lies behind its complexity in human history (Khaled, 2003).. A Greek scroll since 163 BC in the British museum mentions that girls are supposed to be mutilated in order to get their dowries, either an inheritance or money from the husband to the bride on their marriage. It was also written that the practice of FGM took place 500 years ago which is even before the birth of Jesus
Between 120 million to 140 million women in the African continent are estimated to have undergone the inhumane tradition of Female Genital Mutilation (Martinelli & Ollé-Goig, 2012). FGM, a controversial topic is described as the partial or complete cutting of the external female genitalia. It is said to be a social ritual and tradition that is still taking place in 28 countries from Africa to Asia to the Middle East (Abdulcadir, Margairaz, Boulvain & Irion, 2011). Some of the countries include Sudan, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Ethiopia, , Benin, Somalia, Indonesia, Djibouti, Malaysia, Uganda, Yemen, Eritrea, Oman, Iran, Iraq and among immigrant communities in Europe, Canada, United States (Abdulcadir et al., 2011). According to the UNICEF, Genital cutting is actually supported by false beliefs and tradition that is directly related to illiteracy, poverty and women status. This practice is done in rural areas, by unpracticed women who use unsterile razors, blades, broken glass or knifes which leads to future complications for the young woman. This practice is also often done on girls age 4-11. Any girl who is does not undergo the procedure can bring shame to the family; this is the reason why all girls within a specific culture go through this type of practice.
History of FGM
It is not identified till now where the FGM actually originated but it seems that it was practiced before 5th century BC. It was known as Herodotus in 5th century then changed to Starbo in 25 BC and then to Soramus and Aietus in 138 AD and 575 AD. The difficulty to find FGM 's origin lies behind its complexity in human history (Khaled, 2003).. A Greek scroll since 163 BC in the British museum mentions that girls are supposed to be mutilated in order to get their dowries, either an inheritance or money from the husband to the bride on their marriage. It was also written that the practice of FGM took place 500 years ago which is even before the birth of Jesus
References: . Abdulcadir, J., & Margairaz, C., & Boulvain, M., & Irion, O. (2011). Care of women with female genital mutilation/cutting. SMW. Retrieved 12 July, 2013, from http://www.smw.ch/scripts/stream_pdf.php?doi=smw-2011-13137 Ali, A Khaled, M.A., (2003). Effects of female genital mutilation on childbirth. Handle.net. Retrieved 16 July, 2013, from http://hdl.handle.net/10265/463 Lindahl, A., Fretheim A., & Denison, E Martinelli, M., & Ollé-Goig, JE. (2012). Female genital mutilation in Djibouti. NCBI. Retrieved 14 July, 2013, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3598278/pdf/AFHS1204-0412.pdf Reform in the Muslim World Sarah Boseley (2011, Sept 8). FGM: Kenya acts against unkindest cut. The Guardian, Retrieved on July 16, 2013 from http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/sarah-boseley-global-health/2011/sep/08/women-africa Sheikh Tantawi, Egypt 's top cleric dies aged 81 TargetTV1 (Producer). (2009, Nov 14). Ali Goma Interview FGM MGF Channel1 Egypt [Video file]. Retrieved on July 16, 2013 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_f8ZxdT-cC4 UNICEF Whitehorn, J., Ayonrinde, O., & Maingay, S. (2002). Female Genital Mutilation: cultural and psychological implications. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, Vol. 17, No. 2. http://www.nmhdu.org.uk/silo/files/fgm-psychiatric-considerations.pdf