There are many negative physical and psychological problems associated with FGM and there are no known health benefits, contrary to claims by those who defend the procedure (as I will show in a later entry, these claims are based on tradition and superstition, not scientific evidence). The severity and frequency of complications involved with female excision vary according to the type of procedure.(1) Excision is rarely performed in a medical facility, which increases the risk of infection. The sort of tools used to cut the women and girls vary in quality, ranging from broken glass to surgical knives.(2)
Photo: Blades used to perform FGM. http://noslavesofallahinamerica.blogspot.com/2008/02/truth-about-islamic-genital-mutilation.html
Photo: Blades used to perform FGM. http://noslavesofallahinamerica.blogspot.com/2008/02/truth-about-islamic-genital-mutilation.html
Numbing agents are almost never used during the procedure and the tools are rarely sterilized.(3) The WHO has compiled a list of health risks that result from FGM. These results have been gathered from various medical facilities where women and girls have gone to receive treatment for complications caused by the procedure. Due to the fact that the only data on the subject is taken from hospitals, the majority of complications are not reported.(4) It is logical, however, to assume that complications are common outside the medical setting, especially in the bush.
Photo 1: A former excisor, who gave up the practice, shows the knife she used to cut the girls. World Vision UK. http://www.worldvision.org.uk/server.php?show=nav.2224
Photo 2: This young girl has her legs bound in preparation for the healing process of FGM, which could take weeks. Amnesty International. http://www.amnesty.cz/svaw/english/clanky-eng/fgm-nig-070131-eng.htm
Photo 1: A former excisor, who gave up the practice, shows the knife she used to cut the girls. World Vision UK. http://www.worldvision.org.uk/server.php?show=nav.2224
Photo 2: This young girl has her legs bound in preparation for the healing process of FGM, which could take weeks. Amnesty International. http://www.amnesty.cz/svaw/english/clanky-eng/fgm-nig-070131-eng.htm
As you can see in the photo, (above right) the women performing the procedure are not wearing surgical gloves and the patient is on the floor.
The health risks associated with the less severe type of FGM, type I, include pain, bleeding, infection, and psychological trauma.(5) The girls are forcibly held down during the procedure and it can be a terrifying experience.
The more severe the FGM, the more numerous and severe the health problems. The long-term effects include: chronic pain, infection, decreased sexual enjoyment, infertility (caused by infection of the vagina that spreads in to the ovaries and uterus), and post-traumatic stress disorder.(6) WHO officials are also concerned about the possible spread of HIV due to non-sterilized epuipment, but this is not very likely due to the young age of most FGM sufferers and the fact that mass excisions are rare.(7)
Type II and III excision have also been linked to complications during childbirthing to the mother and infant. Type II and III excision require the partial or total stiching up of the vaginal opening, which makes childbirthing extrememly difficult. Many of these women require caesarean sections in order to deliver the child. Post-partum haemorrhage is another serious problem because it can result in the death of the mother from blood loss. Type II and III FGM has also been linked to an increase in the infant mortality rate. According to a study by the WHO, the infant mortality rate among women who have undergone some form of FGM is significantly higher than among women who have not:
Type I: 15% higher infant mortality
Type II: 32% higher infant mortality
Type III: 55% higher infant mortality.
The WHO estimates that one to two more per 100 infants die as a result of FGM.(8) The WHO has no definitive evidence, but they estimate that these figures are much higher outside the hospital setting to those without access to medical assistance.
This video, produced by the Clitoraid organization, provides a brief overview of FGM, the risks, and efforts to end the practice.
The health risks associated with the less severe type of FGM, type I, include pain, bleeding, infection, and psychological trauma.(5) The girls are forcibly held down during the procedure and it can be a terrifying experience.
The more severe the FGM, the more numerous and severe the health problems. The long-term effects include: chronic pain, infection, decreased sexual enjoyment, infertility (caused by infection of the vagina that spreads in to the ovaries and uterus), and post-traumatic stress disorder.(6) WHO officials are also concerned about the possible spread of HIV due to non-sterilized epuipment, but this is not very likely due to the young age of most FGM sufferers and the fact that mass excisions are rare.(7)
Type II and III excision have also been linked to complications during childbirthing to the mother and infant. Type II and III excision require the partial or total stiching up of the vaginal opening, which makes childbirthing extrememly difficult. Many of these women require caesarean sections in order to deliver the child. Post-partum haemorrhage is another serious problem because it can result in the death of the mother from blood loss. Type II and III FGM has also been linked to an increase in the infant mortality rate. According to a study by the WHO, the infant mortality rate among women who have undergone some form of FGM is significantly higher than among women who have not:
Type I: 15% higher infant mortality
Type II: 32% higher infant mortality
Type III: 55% higher infant mortality.
The WHO estimates that one to two more per 100 infants die as a result of FGM.(8) The WHO has no definitive evidence, but they estimate that these figures are much higher outside the hospital setting to those without access to medical assistance.
This video, produced by the Clitoraid organization, provides a brief overview of FGM, the risks, and efforts to end the practice.
Notes:
1. WHO. "Eliminating Female Genital Mutilation". 11.
2. Maria Marzano. "Universalism and Cultural Specificity". 51.
3. Marzano, "Universalism...". 51.
4. WHO. "Eliminating Female...". 27.
5. WHO. "Eliminating Female...". 11.
6. Ibid., 33-5.
7. Ibid., 33.
8. Ibid., 11. The whole section discussing the health risks of type II and III FGM is taken from the same page of the same source.
1. WHO. "Eliminating Female Genital Mutilation". 11.
2. Maria Marzano. "Universalism and Cultural Specificity". 51.
3. Marzano, "Universalism...". 51.
4. WHO. "Eliminating Female...". 27.
5. WHO. "Eliminating Female...". 11.
6. Ibid., 33-5.
7. Ibid., 33.
8. Ibid., 11. The whole section discussing the health risks of type II and III FGM is taken from the same page of the same source.
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