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“Combating Female Genital Mutilation: An agenda for the Decade.” research paper
Female genital mutilation determinants
Outline for discussion of female genital mutilation
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According to WHO, female genital mutilation (also referred to as female genital circumcision) includes 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 (World Health Organization [WHO], 2011, para. 2). The practice is mostly carried out by traditional circumcisers, who often play other central roles in communities, such as attending childbirths. FGM is usually carried out on minors, from a few days old to puberty, and is a violation of the rights of children. The practice also violates a person's rights to health, security and physical integrity, the right to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and the right to life when the procedure results in death (World Health Organization [WHO], 2011, para. 3). There are numerous problems associated with female genital mutilation. FGM damages healthy and normal female genital tissue, and interferes with the natural functions of girls' and women's bodies. FGM also includes complications that range from immediate severe pain, shock, excessive bleeding, bacterial infection (from unsterilized tools used to perform the process, i.e., blunt razor blades). In the long run, FGM leads to infertility, and an increased risk of childbirth complications and newborn deaths. Most importantly, the removal of the external female genitalia greatly affects a woman’s sexuality. Sexuality varies across the cultures and regions of the world, and has continually changed throughout history, and this applies equally to female sexuality. Female sexuality encompasses a broad range of behaviors and processes, including female sexual identity and sexual behavior, both physical and ps... ... middle of paper ... ...icate the problem. In summary, future research could focus on the sexual experience by comparing circumcised and non-circumcised women. This is because non-circumcised women could likely be a special group; in addition, researchers would have to make sure that they did not differ from circumcised women in key factors such as age, education, marital status, or socioeconomic status. Works Cited Chalmers, B., & Hashi, K. O. (2000). 432 somali women's birth experiences in canada and earlier female genital mutilation. Birth: Issues in Perinatal Care, 27(4), 227-234. Nwajei, S. D., & Otiono, A. I. (2003). Female genital mutilation: Implications for female sexuality. Women's Studies International Forum, 26(6), 575-580. World Health Organization. (2011). Female genital mutilation. Retrieved November 24, 2011, from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs241/en/