Banish FGM

STOP THIS BARBARIC SLICING OF FEMALE GENITALIA

The phrase "Banish FGM: STOP THIS BARBARIC SLICING OF FEMALE GENITALIA" serves as an urgent and unequivocal call to action against one of the most egregious violations of human rights worldwide. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), also known as female circumcision or cutting, is a practice rooted in deeply entrenched cultural, social, and sometimes religious beliefs, yet it inflicts profound, often lifelong, physical and psychological damage on its victims. It is a stark reminder that tradition, when it violates fundamental human dignity and bodily autonomy, must be challenged and ultimately eradicated.

Defining the Atrocity: What is FGM?

At its core, FGM is defined as the deliberate alteration or injury to the female external genitalia for non-medical reasons. This crucial distinction — "non-medical reasons" — immediately highlights the lack of any health benefit and, conversely, the significant harm it poses. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies FGM into four main types, ranging in severity:

• Type 1 (Clitoridectomy): Partial or total removal of the clitoris and, in very rare cases, only the prepuce (fold of skin surrounding the clitoris).
• Type 2 (Excision): Partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, with or without excision of the labia majora.
• Type 3 (Infibulation): Narrowing of the vaginal opening through the creation of a covering seal. This is formed by cutting and repositioning the labia minora or labia majora, sometimes through stitching, with or without removal of the clitoris. This is often referred to as the most severe form and carries the highest risk of complications.
• Type 4: All other harmful procedures to the female genitalia for non-medical purposes, e.g., pricking, piercing, incising, scraping, and cauterizing the genital area.

The common thread uniting these types is the deliberate infliction of harm upon a child's body, robbing her of her physical integrity and often, her future well-being.

The Vulnerable Victims: Girls Between Infancy and 15 Years of Age

The statement rightly emphasizes the extreme vulnerability of the victims: "Girls between infancy and 15 years of age are the victims." This age range is critical because it highlights the power imbalance inherent in the practice. These are not consensual acts; they are procedures forced upon children who lack the capacity to understand, consent to, or resist such an invasive and traumatic experience.

In many communities where FGM is practiced, it is viewed as a rite of passage, a necessary step for a girl to become a woman, to be considered "clean" or "pure," or to be eligible for marriage. The irony is that this "passage" often initiates a lifetime of suffering. The age of cutting can vary dramatically even within communities, from days after birth to just before marriage, but the common factor is the victim's young age and lack of agency. This makes FGM a profound violation of children's rights, including the right to health, the right to freedom from violence, and the right to bodily integrity.

The Profound and Lifelong Consequences: Pain, Sex, Childbirth, and Mental Health

The physical and psychological repercussions of FGM are devastating and often lifelong. The initial act itself is incredibly painful, usually performed without anesthesia by an unsterile blade or instrument, leading to immediate complications such as:

• Severe pain and trauma: The procedure is excruciating, often leading to shock.
• Hemorrhage: Excessive bleeding can be fatal, especially in remote areas with no access to medical care.
• Infection: Unsterile instruments lead to a high risk of tetanus, sepsis, HIV, and other blood-borne diseases.
• Urinary retention: Swelling and pain can make urination difficult, leading to bladder infections.
• Damage to surrounding tissues: Accidental damage to the urethra, anus, or other sensitive areas.

Beyond the immediate trauma, the long-term consequences are equally dire:

• Chronic pain: Persistent pain, especially during menstruation, urination, and sexual intercourse.
• Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs): Due to scarring and altered anatomy, women often suffer from chronic UTIs.
• Cystitis and kidney problems: If UTIs go untreated, they can lead to more severe kidney infections.
• Reproductive health problems: Increased risk of infertility due to chronic infections or damage to reproductive organs.
• Sexual dysfunction: Loss of sensation, pain during intercourse (dyspareunia), and complete inability to experience sexual pleasure or orgasm. This profoundly impacts intimacy and relationships.
• Complications in childbirth: Infibulated women often require defibulation (re-opening of the vaginal canal) before or during labor. The scarred tissue can tear, leading to severe hemorrhage, prolonged labor, obstructed labor, vesicovaginal fistulas (a hole between the bladder and vagina), and rectovaginal fistulas (a hole between the rectum and vagina), which cause incontinence and social isolation. The risk of stillbirth and neonatal death is also significantly higher for babies born to FGM-affected mothers.
• Mental health issues: The psychological scars are often as deep as the physical ones. Victims frequently suffer from:
  • Anxiety and depression: Due to the trauma, chronic pain, and social stigma.
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance associated with the cutting experience.
  • Low self-esteem and body image issues: Feeling damaged, incomplete, or "othered."
  • Social isolation: Especially for women with complications like fistulas, which can lead to abandonment by partners and communities.
  • Grief and anger: For the loss of their bodily integrity and the childhood stolen from them.

Challenging the Narrative: "It is a long-standing ritual in our culture"

The common defense for FGM – "It is a long-standing ritual in our culture" – is perhaps the most insidious justification because it weaponizes tradition against human rights. The statement powerfully counters this by drawing a parallel to the historical practice of drowning witches: "So was drowning witches and we stopped that many years ago." This analogy is potent for several reasons:

• Historical Precedent for Change: It highlights that societies have historically abandoned practices, no matter how deeply entrenched, when they are recognized as harmful, irrational, or inhumane. It debunks the myth that cultural practices are immutable.
• Moral Imperative: It asserts a universal moral imperative that transcends specific cultural norms. The inherent barbarity of torturing or killing an innocent person (or in the case of FGM, mutilating a child) cannot be justified by tradition.
• Progress and Enlightenment: It speaks to the idea of societal progress and the evolution of human rights. What was acceptable in one era, based on ignorance or harmful beliefs, is no longer so in a more enlightened time.

FGM is not an ancient, unchangeable custom; it is a human rights violation that has evolved and can be, and is being, challenged and abandoned. Its continuation is often linked to patriarchal control over female sexuality, misconceptions about hygiene or beauty, and community pressure to conform. It is rarely, if ever, prescribed by religious texts, though it is sometimes wrongly attributed to religious duty.

"Nothing Less Than a Barbaric Assault on Vulnerable Young Girls"

This strong language accurately reflects the nature of FGM. "Barbaric" evokes a sense of primitive cruelty, devoid of humanity or empathy. "Assault" underscores the violation of a child's body and autonomy, a non-consensual act of violence. The emphasis on "vulnerable young girls" reiterates their inability to protect themselves and the immense responsibility adults have to safeguard them. The phrase "potentially severe effects on mind and body" is an understatement, given the widespread evidence of lifelong suffering.

"It Has to Stop and We Can Help Now"

This concluding call to action is crucial, shifting from condemnation to empowerment. It emphasizes that ending FGM is not merely a desirable goal but an imperative. More importantly, it asserts that collective action can make a difference. The "we" refers to individuals, communities, governments, international organizations, and advocates who are committed to this cause.

Ending FGM requires a multi-faceted approach:

1. Legislation and Enforcement: Many countries have banned FGM, but laws must be rigorously enforced, and perpetrators prosecuted. This sends a clear message that the practice is illegal and unacceptable.
2. Community Engagement and Education: This is arguably the most critical aspect. Sustainable change comes from within communities. It involves:
   • Raising awareness: Educating communities about the severe health consequences of FGM.
   • Challenging social norms: Engaging community leaders, elders, religious figures, and men and boys in dialogue to shift cultural perceptions and address the underlying reasons for the practice.
   • Promoting alternative rites of passage: Developing ceremonies that celebrate a girl's transition to womanhood without mutilation.
   • Empowering women and girls: Providing education, economic opportunities, and platforms for them to speak out against FGM.
3. Healthcare Worker Training: Equipping health professionals to identify girls at risk, provide care for FGM survivors, and educate communities. They also play a vital role in preventing re-infibulation after childbirth.
4. Support Services for Survivors: Providing comprehensive medical, psychological, and social support for those who have undergone FGM. This includes counseling, reconstructive surgery (where appropriate and desired), and support groups.
5. International Cooperation: FGM is a worldwide issue, often transcending borders through migration. International collaboration is essential for sharing best practices, coordinating efforts, and supporting affected countries.
6. Funding and Resources: Sustained financial commitment is needed to implement programs, conduct research, and support frontline organizations working to end FGM.

In conclusion, the fight to "Banish FGM" is a fight for human dignity, bodily autonomy, and the fundamental rights of every girl. It is a powerful rejection of harmful traditions that inflict immense suffering under the guise of culture. By acknowledging the pain, celebrating the resilience of survivors, and actively supporting efforts to educate and empower, we can collectively ensure that this barbaric practice becomes nothing more than a dark chapter in humanity's past, replaced by a future where every girl is safe, healthy, and free from mutilation. The time to act is now.