FGM Is An Act Of Violence Against Women

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Female genital mutilation (FGM) is the intentional removal of partial or total external female genitalia (WHO, 2014). FGM is commonly inflicted on young girls between the ages of infancy and 15; however, adult women are also at risk of FGM (WHO, 2014). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 125 million girls and women have been inflicted by FGM in 29 countries in Africa and the Middle East (2014). It is estimated that annually, 2 million girls and women are at risk of being subjected to FGM (Onuh,Igberase, Joaness, Okogenin, Sylvanus, et al., 2006). FGM is most concentrated in Africa and the Middle Eastern countries and practiced for cultural and social reasons. FGM is socially acceptable in these countries, as it is perceived as the proper way to raise a girl, which will prepare her for adulthood and marriage, since it is believed to reduce the woman’s libido; hence prevent the woman from engaging in sexual acts (2014). Culturally, FGM is practiced because it is associated with femininity and modesty, and the woman is then perceived as clean and beautiful (2014). Internationally, FGM is an act of violence against women; it reflects gender inequality related to suppression and subjugation of women, in which denies them of their freedom and liberty (WHO, 2014). The purpose of this paper seeks to educate and bring awareness about FGM and presented in our Global Health class, which will facilitate a platform for exchange in dialogue.
Epidemiology of FGM
The prevalence of FGM is most concentrated in African and Middle Eastern countries. WHO estimates that FGM has been performed on 125 million girls and women in Africa and the Middle East (2014). The United Nations for Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that FGM i...

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...d psychological complications of FGM, many of these communities are more concerned with the cultural and social norms of FGM. Organizations around the world have made it a priority to address the issue of FGM globally, WHO has made great strides in collecting data and monitoring the mortality and morbidity of women, children, and infants afflicted by FGM, which has allowed international discussion and heightened scrutiny among countries practicing FGM. In addition, UNFPA and UNICEF have helped to decrease FGM by promoting collective abandonment of FGM on a local level in African countries. The future of decreasing FGM is promising with the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme; however, it seems that without proper education of young females in these countries, FGM will perpetuate as it has for the generations that came before them and the future generations to come.

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