Female Genital Mutilation

10 Pages 2538 Words

n females per year are at risk of undergoing such a procedure (Bosch 1177). A major focal point of this prevalence of FGM/FC is Sudan, a country in Northern Africa. In Northern Sudan, approximately 89% of the 14.1 million females endure FGM/FC (Dorkenoo 88). But, to understand this statistic and its devastating implications for the women in Sudan and women worldwide, it is important to understand the many ancient and modern facets of this longstanding practice.
Before the practice of FGM/FC in Sudan is thoroughly discussed, it is necessary to define the term “female genital mutilation.” There are different types of FGM/FC. Procedures may vary according to ethnicity and geography. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) grouped the different forms into four general categories. The first category is Type I, which is commonly referred to as “clitoridectomy.” It involves excision of the prepuce, which may include excision of part or all of the clitoris. Type II, commonly known as “excision”, is excision of the prepuce and clitoris with limited or full excision of the labia minora. Type III, also known as “infibulation”, involves partial or total excision of external genitalia and closure of the vaginal opening. Type IV is considered unclassified. It refers to all other procedures involving partial or total removal of the female external genitalia, such as pricking, piercing, stretching or burning (Rahman and Toubia 7-8). In Northern Sudan, 82% of all FGM/FC involves Type III (infibulation), which is known as Sunna (“tradition”).
Historians believe that FGM/FC was practiced in ancient Egypt. Whether or not the custom originated there is debatable. The practice could also have disseminated into Egypt from Northern Sudan. Making the distinction more complicated, FGM/FC is known as “pharaonic circumcision” in Sudan and as “Sudanese circumcision” in Egypt (Dorkenoo 33). Obviously, FGM/FC varie...