Why Do Some Communities Still Practice Female Genital Mutilation?

Female genital mutilation is the removal of the female genitalsparts partly or completely. It was mostly practiced in the African communities on girls during their adolescence. The act is a violation of girls and women rights because it has no medical importance to them. Many traditional women viewed it as a very important stage that transformed girls to real African women.

The practice is unhealthy because many people are suffering from its consequences. For example in the past, one knife was used to administer the act to over one thousand girls, facilitating the transmission of various illnesses. To make it even worse, thorns were used as needles. You can therefore imagine how distressing and unhealthy it was. It led to some girls bleeding to death, some developed complications during birth while some had urinating complications.

Some communities practiced clitoridectomy; where the clitoris was removed or in some cases the prepuce mutilated. Others practiced excision where the clitoris and the labia, (the vaginal lips) were partly or totally removed. Infibulations where the vaginal opening was narrowed and a covering seal formed by cutting and repositioning of the inner and outer labia created was also performed. They sometimes scraped, incised, pierced and cauterized the genitals.

I can even feel the pain by imagining the experiences those individuals underwent.Tears roll down my cheeks on the mentioning of such inhuman acts. Some of the girls fainted and some suffered from tetanus due to the open sores on the genitals. It is now known that those girls who undergo this inhuman act face lots of problems like cysts and barrenness. Men on the other hand complain that those ladies don’t enjoy having sex because the level of their libido is extremely low.

It’s quite surprising that some communities practiced it because they wanted the girls to remain virgins till they got married. Most girls would be afraid of feeling discomfort when having sex. To my surprise, many communities are still practicing it even after restrictions by almost all governments; they still do not want to stop female genital mutilation. I’m pleased with some girls who flee and seek education elsewhere because they do not want to be victimised.

It’s good that efforts are being made to make sure the act is not administered. The act is inhuman. Why do you want to cause innocent girls unimaginable trauma? Think again, are you still stuck and bound by cultural practices? What do you really gain?

Let us all fight female genital mutilation.

Nancy Nikenya has written several articles about the christian religion and loves sharing and helping others solve their Problems out. Visit Nikenya Forums where you will find Nancy and other members who will be willinng to welcome and share with you.

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