Female Genital Mutilation

4 Pages 986 Words

FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION
When Society Turns Against its Children


Female Genital Mutilation is a destructive procedure that is usually performed on girls before puberty among a great part of population in Africa and immigrants around the world. It can be performed in different ways. It involves the excision of the labia minore as it may involve the excision of part or all of the external genitalia and consequent stitching of the vaginal opening, procedure known as infibulation. It may also include cauterization by burning of the clitoris and surrounding tissue. This kind of mutilation is a tradition and it is considered to be a necessary rite for a girl to become member of the society, be prepared for womanhood and marriage and lead a healthy life. However, I am convinced that the reasoning process of people who practice this rite is based on persuasion, fear, conviction, as well as religious and hygienic fallacies. The physical and psychological effects of Female Genital Mutilation are immense therefore it has to be stopped.
One motivation of the societies that practice female circumcision is that their religion demands it. Rather, their belief is mistaken. These people are either Christians or Muslims. But neither the Bible nor the Qur’an require female circumcision. In fact, many religious scholars have confirmed that actually, there is not any link between the practice and religion.
For the traditional communities who support this custom, the excision of the clitoris is meant to protect the woman from her sexual desires, saving her from temptation and disgrace, while vindicating her chastity. In these societies, virginity is a prerequisite for marriage. It increases a girl’s marriage opportunities as well as her father’s and family’s status within the community. Nevertheless, it is found out of interviews that many infibulated women do experience orgasm and moreover, infibulation does not provide a guarantee against...