When we think of circumcision what usually comes to mind is the removal of the foreskin of an infants penis in a clean hospital with sanitized tools. When I think of circumcision I shutter and squirm thinking of the 200+ million young girls and women in various parts of Africa and the middle east whose genitals have been (or will be) mutilated in the name of female circumcision also known as FGM (female genital mutilation).
What’s the big deal, why do I care, and why should you?
According to the World Health Organization:
Female genital mutilation (FGM) includes procedures that intentionally alter or injure female genital organs for non-medical reasons.
FGM is internationally recognized as a violation of the human rights of girls and women.
It is mostly carried out on young girls sometime between infancy and age 15 years.
An estimated 100 to 140 million girls and women worldwide are currently living with the consequences of FGM.
Common Health Consequences of Female Circumcision Include:
Death
Hemorrhaging
Infertility
Shock
Damage to other organs
Infection
Urine retention
Extreme scar tissue
Cysts
Painful menstruation cycles
Torn bladder/vaginal walls
Nerve damage
Child birth obstruction
Painful sexual intercourse
Inability to experience sexual pleasure
What is Female Circumcision?
Depending on the region and culture female circumcision can include any and/or all of the following:
Removing the hood of the clitoris.
Removing the clitoris.
Removing part or all of the labia minora.
Removing part or all of the labia majoria.
Sewing the vaginal opening closed leaving an extremely small opening for the passing of urine/menstrual blood.
Stretching the clitoris and/or labia
Burning the clitoris and surrounding tissue.
Scraping the vagina.
Inserting acidic substances into the vagina to shrink or narrow the vagina.
These circumcisions are not usually done in a clean hospital with sterile tools (but some are). Many of these circumcisions take place in small villages with stones, razors, scissors, knives, and no anesthetic. Most people cannot even fathom any sharp instrument coming close to their genitalia for any reason. In America, women pierce the hood of their clitoris to intensify sexual pleasure. Its unimaginable that there are parts of the world where women are pressured into removing any part of their PRIVATE parts….
Yes, we are talking about young girls and women being tied up, held down, and having their genitals butchered! This practice is not always done by force… but it is often an expectation (tradition) and a rites of passage. Some believe female circumcision garners respect and honor. This is a frightening practice and a dangerous way to gain respect or acknowledgment as a woman. In all honesty…as an outsider looking in, female genital mutilation seems like an extreme way to dishonor and disrespect a woman…by cutting off and discarding parts of the female anatomy… Who benefits from it? How human would I be if I didn’t ask or care?
While it is never our place to dictate what people do with their bodies or to tell people how or what they should believe… do we not have a duty to educate people so that they are able to make informed decisions? Shouldn’t we do whatever we can to bring awareness and spark discussion surrounding the issue?
Girls flee circumcision in Kenya»
200 Marakwet girls forcefully circumcised»
Yemen to reduce the practice of FGM by 30 percent by 2012»
Activists fight female circumcision»
IT'S REALLY SAD THAT EVEN AT THIS AGE WOMEN ARE BEING SUPPRESSED. I FEEL LIKE TO KILL ALL THOSE MEN WHO DO THIS TO WOMEN.
th3e thing is that more than 95% of the ppl who do this to this childrens are theyr mothers.
funny thing is, the men dont usually perform this procedure on the women, it is usually the village elders, who are women
I just have a question…
Do you have a problem with male circumcision?
Because doesn't most of that happen whent he boy is an infant?
Doesn't he not have a choice?
Isn't it also brutal in the more rural parts of the world?
Because most of the time I hear of the "awfulness" of female circumcision..but never the same thougths applied to male.
Yes, it can be awful. But, if it was done in a sterile hopsital with anesthetic, as infants. Would you have the same problem with it?
Because if not…that makes me think of sexism.
Oh and another thing! The women who do choose to undergo this in the more rural parts of the world…as I'm sure there are some who do CHOOSE…most likely cannot read this to become informed.
By the way, I point all of this out, as a woman myself.
~Just think.
I am completely opposed to male circumcision also. It is WRONG to mutilate a woman's sexual organs in an effort to control her sexually, just as it is WRONG to mutilate a little boy's penis for whatever misguided reason.
People should be allowed to decide for themselves what to do with their genitals.
I have two boys, and neither of them are cut up. I find uncut men sexier, too.
Don't kill 'em, Toyota. Re-educate them. WELL PRESENTED, Mirenda.
It is not sad, it is disgusting! And it is a tradition which is hard to break, but it is really awful.
Yes, people need to be informed of this. In fact, this topic came up at my workplace a few weeks ago and one of my female collegues was completely unaware of this "process". The stories I am familiar fall into the "forced" category on young girls and it breaks my heart.
Thanks for tackling a tough subject.
try to understand the power as well as emotion of women in age of women impowerment.
I really liked this post. Can I copy?
Thank in advance.
Sincerely, Timur Alhimenkov.
That is horrible to think that many young girls are abused like that. I applaud you for raising awareness of this tough subject. More people need to be aware that these awful things are happening so hopefully we can put an end to it.
Any form of FGM should be banned and condemned! Knowing that such cruel acts are in practice are horrible, and the fact that this practice continues is utter madness. Let's all do our part in putting an end to such inhumanitarian acts.
People from those places need to be made aware that FGM does more damage than good. They should even be prosecuted because of doing that!
I lived in africa for 9 yrs. and saw firsthand the effects of FGM on women and girls. I am so proud of you for speaking out, and am glad to see the grassroots organizations in country to stop this practice.
thanks you for this usefull informasion..
i get something what i want to know.. thanks for this informations..
what is even sadder is the face that its not actually men who do this to women. women are doing this to women because of a cultural stigmatism created by men. its so sickening!
Very nice Blog…
Fantastic work! Really shocked by the facts, thanks sharing this information with me.
It is very upseting after knowing the fact.
I am appalled by this practice. It is horrible, it is rape, violation. The consequences in these girls and later women are devastating. I can't understand how you can put your own child through this suffering which affects their whole being.
Education it a major factor to stop this brutality, but also law enforcement. If there are laws which prohibit it but none is held accountable for this action, then it will continue to happen.
Instead of trying to reduce the percentage to a 40%, the UN should aim to eradicate it completely and put all efforts in doing it as soon as possible. We are not in the middle ages. These men and women should know better.
Shame on them.
Oh my god, this is horrible. I really didn't know that this went on.
Everyone think that it is the most awful thing that could ever happen, and it all has to do with where you are from. Yeah, I do agree that I think that it is disgusting, but to those who do it, it is something natural. Think if someone started talking about something that to us just seems like an everyday thing, and put it in their view, it might sound worse than it actually is.
I do not believe that we have any duty to "re-educate" them, change them, or put a stop to anything that they do. We think we do because they do not think like us, because they don't live like we do, because they don't act like we do, ect. This type of thinking is what causes wars and drives us as human beings apart. If we would stop doing this, who knows what it might do for everyone.
How is doing serious physical to a woman not something that needs to be changed. Riddle me this friend… Is it okay to overlook something like this just because its cultural. It was cultural for people in england to behead people but if someone did that now in a civilized country it would be appalling to us…. Why? Because it's not practical and does more harm than good. Lots of things that were cultural end up being terminated or becoming outdated because people become more educated as time goes on. Its only natural. If we know that something like this is causing woman physical and psychological damage we shouldn't just turn a blind eye and play the "we don't understand their culture card". People are people and everyone is human. This practice goes against any human rights I know. Just because they're cultured may be different or less civilized doesn't mean they don't deserve to make their own choices especially when it deal with something so important.
I totally agree with you Pickle, but I'd really like to add something more. I am studying medicine and so I'm about to be a doctor. I just wanted to emphasize that despite every cultural or religious tradition, there exist no such thing as the right to destroy somebody's life. This kind of tradition it is held in some Muslim community judging by the idea women are meant to be a husband property. I am Muslim myself but I had never heard this before until last night I saw a documentary and immediately I started to check in web add to know if really this was possible. Talking just about the medical side, this tradition should be stopped as soon as possible. That kind of stuff is very dangerous mentally, and absolutely risky physiologically. So, despite traditional cultures, this culture must be considered and really strongly precautionary stopped.
Its really disgusting. How the people will tolerate???? I am really praying god about this…….
Really interesting…
a very primitive application
man if there was a god…how could there be so much cruelty in this world…not to speak about this… rape murder terrorism etc. THINK AGAIN
@Lily There is a God! and because of people like you who dont belive in him is the reason why all this cruelty IS in this world. All this bad stuff can be label as, sin. Its also a sin not to belive in God. I can tell you that the greatest trick the devil has tricked people with is having other people to *think* that God or he, doesn't exist and the result of this is all the bad stuff you mentioned. If everyone would be a christain, have faith in Jesus and follow his word which is the bible none of this would happen. But as long people keep doing what they wana then guess what this stuff will always go on until God comes back and destroys this world.
Nate, that type of religious diatribe is why many of us do not and cannot believe in a god. To claim and believe that other's "sins" are the reason for innocent people suffering makes your god out to sound cruel and spiteful. That means "God" sins, too! Also, you sound disrespectful and bigoted, asserting your own religion over others. What if Buddhism is right? What if Satanism is correct? You're so arrogant to assume that your religion happens to be the right one. If "God" were truly benevolent and all-powerful, there wouldn't be the issue of female genital mutilation.
Thank you, Arielle. You couldn't have stated it any better.
Sincerely,
A religious Catholic Christian who believes in God in love and acceptance, NOT fear or damnation.
P.S. Regardless of religion or belief (yes, I believe atheism is a belief that should be respected as well), we need to protect these young girls and women who are suffering due to rigid cultural belief and stigma.
Trish if you are what you claim to be, Catholic Christian, then you would not have fully agreed on what Ariel said. I agree we cant blame the sins of the world for the ignorance, and catastrophes, but there is a God, and he is a great God. If you were truly a Christian you would have stated that. Do not blame God for our humane mistakes, for it is our OWN fault. We did this to ourselves. This is not the way that God intended us to live. Because we as individuals choose to do our own thing and not abide by his word, we have caused this upon ourselves. So don't
underestimate God because he is real, mighty and powerful and we will see him on judgement day.
Don't kill 'em, Toyota. Re-educate them. WELL PRESENTED, Mirenda.
This post is horrible.. I can say please educate them so that they will know what are they doing..
Its part of our culture, women have a lower social social position to men and need to be kept in place! Try to understand that we have to keep the women in order.
It's part of your "culture" to disregard human rights when it comes to women? I usually respect and have interest in different cultures, but your culture is one I am sickened by. It is NOT okay to mutilate others to get a point across. In fact, women are equal to men, and that aspect of your culture (whichever one you are referring to) is barbaric and several steps behind the rest of the 21st-century world. No excuses.
Marenda — I hope you will continue to support this monthly meme. You are a popular blogger able to bring a great deal of attention to human rights abuses around the nation…
peace, Villager
this is horrible, i had no idea this went on…
My mother was a victim of FGM and I see the effect that it has on her. She does not know what love is. She was forced into a marriage at 16 and is still with my dad, not because of love, because she is totally dependand on him. He also abuses her physically and mentally. As a result, I am scared to marry. I was lucky not to be a victim of FGM but I am campaigning against it because I saw what it did not my mom. I have a daughter and I and raising her to someday become a confidant independant women like me.
I know for us men, we don't enjoy tos ee something as cruel and disgusting as this. Im sorry for those who think other.
I do agree that it is wrong, but any type of circumcision is wrong. In male circumcision, they strap the infant down and cut the foreskin off with no pain killers. Why isn't that considered a horrible act against a person? It is still painful and forced genital mutilation. Are we all not human?
yes i agree that everyone think that it is the most awful thing that could ever happen, and it all has to do with where you are from. That is horrible to think that many young girls are abused like that. I applaud you for raising awareness of this tough subject.
OMG! How can people do that? It is so wrong to mutilate girls that way…….Congrats for raising this issue!
this truly is discusting. i feel sick for those who have to be put through that pain. its unnessesary torture.
Male circumcision, while not performed in such horrible conditions, is still usually performed upon infants who are unable to consent. There is really no medical reason for male circumcision, either, and men who undergo it endure the loss of important nerve endings and protection of the glans. Yes, FTM is more horrific, but that doesn't make other genital mutilation okay.
hi all
How sad ! , Please stop doing such tragedy , Everyone has to be informed this tragedy
Dabi you are really stupid and selfish person you obviously dont care about women, i respect your culture but i dont think it is right what you are doing we are living in the twentieth century you should not be thinking like that women do not need to be kept in place they have as much right as men, as a women if i saw this happening i would kill all you motherfuckers, there should be no social positions women are just as equal as men, what are yuu stupid it is not because of your culture it is because you reciev more pleasure from women when they are circumcised, it is only for the mens benefit and this is completely selfish, how could you let your daughter go through something like this if you do have a daughter and correct me if im wrong but do you not reopen the sewing of a womens vagina when they get married and resew it back together after,
These is done by ingnorant people. Well if virginity is so important in their culture they should have other ways to deal with these issue instead of doing these horriable thing to their daughters
I been reasearching these topic for a college project and i have found amazing things and data about these
Wow how can parents cuz its not just men actually mothers are the ones that influence their husband to do so
It it amazing how people tend to take their social values to the stream
i would never make any of my daughters if so i have any do these
It is cruel and un-human for parents to take these decios over their daughter sexual behavior
Anyway these people just need to be more open minded
Well virginity aint everything that matters
Great post.I personally think female circumcision is an act of barberic and inhuman..
It is no wonder why their country has the highest rate of " AIDS & HIV."
@ S Crager: Things like this doesn't cause war, it spreads disease. Yes, they need to be "educated." No woman in their right mind would have this sort of procedure done, especially with how they go about it. It's very UN-SANITARY.
This is rape, abuse, terrorism. We need to put an end to it. Stop it. Girl is human. Woman is human. Why can they do like that. Those people who do it to Girl & Women are doggy. I like eating dogmeat. I'll eat all the dogs like that. There will be penalty for those not respecting women. Send those in jail. What does the World Health Organization say about this matter? What does the World Health Organization do about this matter? Just talking, no action? Women are our mother, sister, wife, friend. Respect them.
These third world countries are barely out of the stone age and the caves this sick practice needs to be forcefully stopped.
I am just dumb struck,i mean we african men are so hard up on 1day having kids and yet we still go ahead with these circumcisions,then we expect a woman to bare kids 4us after we have reduced the chances of that happening..Then when she can not bare you kids she's labeled as useless or barren kicked out of her husbands house probably by her mother in-law the same woman who helped with the circumcision if that's not being ignorant and stupid then i don't know what is.Honestly if that's was what every female went through all over africa then id rather not have any kids period because i would not want to 1day let my daughter go through that kind of pain and torture and still be able to tell her i love her,i don't know how they do it i'm guessing that maybe they don't feel any compation for their kids at all.Something should be done about it before those idiots wipe out they hole race…