FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION

What is Female genital mutilation?

Female genital mutilation, also known as female genital cutting and  female circumcision according to the World Health Organization (WHO),  is the cutting or removal of some or all of the external female genitalia.

• Female genital cutting or circumcision is the partial or complete removal of the external female genital organs. It is done for cultural rather than meyoudical reasons.

⚫ Health problems after FGC include infections, abscesses, blocked urinary flow and painful sexual intercourse.

The type of circumcision common in Nigeria are:

⚫ Type I – clitoridectomy, or ‘sunna’.

The hood of skin that sits over the clitoris (prepuce) is removed. The clitoris may or may not be removed in part or in total. However, in most cases, the clitoris is completely shaved off because the person who does the circumcision is always not concerned about what should be shaved and what not to.

• Type II – clitoridectomy or excision and circumcision. The entire clitoris is removed. The inner lips (labia minora) are either partially or totally removed.

•Type III- infibulation which is not practiced in Nigeria.

Female Genital Circumcision has no health benefit to women and girls, and it can have negative impacts on sexual and reproductive.

There may be immediate and long-term negative health impacts including:

• severe pain

• bleeding (in a child who has haemophilia, bleeding can’t be stopped. Haemophilia is a disorder that causes the blood to not clot properly. It’s usually caused by lack of hereditary coagulation factor. It’s a rare disorder)

• infection. For a child whose immune system is barely functional, an open wound is an open invitation to all sorts of infection. As the immune system is not strong, these infections can lead to death.

• keloid scar formation. Keloid scar is caused by excess collagen, when the circumcised area begins to heal and the collagen is excess, the healing site forms a different skin flesh and covers the place. In retrospect, there will be difficulty during childbirth and high probability of haemorrhage and tearing.

• blocked flow of urine

• urinary incontinence

• recurring urinary tract infections

• infections of the pelvis

• Increased risk of infertility

•painful sexual intercourse

•reduced sexual enjoyment (it’s said that women whose clitoris are cut off have lower satisfaction, lubrication and orgasm than those who have not been shaved.)

•Post-traumatic stress syndrome, including nightmares and flashbacks (if the circumcision is done when the female is old). This can also cause depression, social isolation and chronic anxiety.

• childbirth difficulties, such as severe tearing and haemorrhage

• death.

In Yoruba land, it’s believed that female circumcision does not allow the girl child to be promiscuous and also let her stay in her husband’s house.

There are cases where the baby’s mother refuses circumcision but the family; the mother in-law or her own mother goes behind her to circumcise the child. These old people believe they are right and since they raised their children the same way, they can do it. Culture and tradition is not a justifiable reason for female genital mutilation.

Female genital mutilation is ABUSE, ASSAULT and should be shunned and fought against.