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Female Genital Mutilation On The Rise
09 December 2005
by Anai Rhoads
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AnaiRhoads.org - Despite
evidence that female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM/C) is on the
decline in countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania and
Yemen, numbers appear up overall as the procedure endures through tradition.
A total of 28 countries encourage this practice, with an estimated 3
million new girls undergoing this form of mutilation annually according to
the United Nations (UN).
"Real and lasting change is possible," said Marta Santos Pais, director
of UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre, which issued a recent report
entitled "Changing a Harmful Social Convention: Female Genital
Mutilation/Cutting".
FGM/C has been done on young girls for generations. Some cultures
believe by removing a girl's sexuality, they are improving her
appearance, making her "honourable", and ensuring certain monogamy
after marriage. Ironically, some young women have become infertile as
result.
According to UN
ICEF, FGM/C is practiced for a number of reasons, which include:
- Sexual: to control or reduce female sexuality.
- Sociological: for example, as an initiation for girls into
womanhood, social integration and the maintenance of social cohesion.
- Hygiene and aesthetic reasons: where it is believed that the
female genitalia are dirty and unsightly.
- Health: in the belief that it enhances fertility and child
survival.
- Religious reasons: in the mistaken belief that FGM/C is a
religious requirement.
There are some differences from culture to culture with regards to
appropriate age and methods of cutting. The average age is 14, however
according to UNICEF, nearly half are performed on infants before their 12th month of age, This figure includes 44 percent in Eritrea and 29 percent
in Mali.
The results may be prolonged bleeding, infection, septicaemia, and even death.
Not only is the whole experience brutal, painful, and most often done
without anesthetics, but also humiliating and forever unchangeable. Once a girl has the FGM/C done, her sexuality is forever dormant. The
psychological impact alone is overwhelming and often ignored.
The silence on this topic is deafening. Countries speak very little on
FGM/C and its dangers, making it impossible to estimate the actual
death toll.
"Change will happen when communities – including girls, boys, men and
women – are empowered by knowledge to make choices that are healthy and
empowering to individuals and societies," Pais added.
For statistics by country, please visit Amnesty
International
©2005 Anai Rhoads. Reproduction must be authorised in writing
by author only. Altering, redistributing, or selling this material is
strictly prohibited.
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