Faith Slaughter

January 25, 2015

Microbiology
Unit 6 Assignment

CULTURAL PRACTICES & DISEASES

(FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION)

In some parts of the world. Women are subjected to extreme measures

regarding their own body, in which rights to their womanhood are nonexistent.
In some parts of Africa and Asia, There is a traditional practice called
Female Genital Mutilation. This UN orthodox practice is performed
according to certain traditions, rituals and beliefs. This is practiced in several
countries in Africa and parts of Asia. This practice entails the removal of
some of all of the external vagina which includes the removal of the skin that
covers the clitoris. There are four different ways in which this is done
according to (www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheet, 2015):
1. Clitoridectomy: Partial or total removal of the clitoris.
2. Excision: Partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora,
with or without excision of the labia majora.

3. Infibulation: narrowing of the vaginal opening through the creation

of a covering seal. The seal is formed by cutting and repositioning
the inner, or outer, labia, with or without removal of the clitoris.
4. Other: All other harmful procedures to the female genitalia for nonmedical purpose, e.g. pricking, piercing, incising, scraping and
cauterizing the genital area.
Reasons to perform this rituals are to some an accepted norm that is part of
their cultural society. They regard this FGM as a way of preserving the
females treasure. Another reason as well it is believed that performing FGM
would decrease the sexual drive of the woman making her desire to have sex
with others would be decreased (www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheet, 2015).
FGm is performed over and over again before and after birth of a child with
the sealing of the vagina. This gives the man the illusion that the woman is
still a virgin due to the vagina be sewed together.
We as American and women take our bodies for granted time and time. We
have the say over when and what is done to our bodies. We have a choice if
we want a vaginal piercing. We have episiotomies because it may be
deemed surgically necessary during childbirth. We have so much lead way
when it comes to our bodies our say so is the last word. But some are not so
fortunate. Someone dictates to them on what will happen to their
womanhood not leaving any room for choice.
I believe that FGM also plays an important part of the womans self-esteem.
If this particular ritual is performed. The women are made to feel that but

having this done makes them prettier or more beautiful. Also they are told
that are more pure in nature that they are clean
(www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheet, 2015). If this procedure is not done,
them the women are not qualified to wed into a prominent family and no
good dowry will be paid for them. The woman would be shunned by her
family and the tribe in which she comes from. One is to wonder if the woman
starts to feel in this way. Does she think about taking her own life?
There are many health risks associated with FGM. This procedure can result
in death. Several complications can occur during this procedure. Disruption
of the womans body functions can become altered. The chronic illnesses
that can occur are according to (www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheet, 2015):
1. Bladder and urinary tract infections: use go unsterile instruments.
Exposing the clitoris to all types of bacteria due to the prepuce
being removed.
2. Cysts
3. Inability to reproduce
4. Complications during childbirth (due to the vagina being sewed
together)
5. Complications due to having to be cut open to have sexual
intercourse then re-sewn together. This process happens at the
intervals of the mens request.
FGM can be performed on females in the infancy stage, 15 years of age
some adult women depending on the circumstance. Guess it is safe to say
that child born female has a chance of choice in certain countries. Where

from one who is looking on the outside as this procedure being horrific and to
some may seem as though this would be the only chance at a good life.
Reading a blog of a person situation. This particular woman and her sister
experienced FGM. One the women was only the tender age of 4 years of
according to this woman. Only in this instance the father was out visiting
relatives and the mother and the grandmother had the 4 year-old
circumcised without the fathers consent. The father returned home only to
find that his daughters precious jewels had been mutilated. Not only that,
it was done against his wishes. (thewelltimedperiod.blogspot.com, 2007). So
this is saying not all men are in agreement with this painful and un-sanitary
procedure.
There are several organizations who are rallying against FGM. Signaling that
this is a form of abuse and is also considered dehumanizing. What is even
more shocking here I thought that the United States of America was safe?
But this procedure is being done underground here on US soil. So in reality
some women are not even safe here.

Courtesy of Google
Images

I hope that all the campaigning and people that are rallying affect the
countries that are performing these procedures forcefully on women. I hope
that they see that this is causing more harm than good. They are running the
risk of losing their daughter to death, irreversible health issues. They are
even running the risk of infants dying during birth.

REFERENCES
(2007, January 26). Retrieved from thewelltimedperiod.blogspot.com.
www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheet. (2015, january 26).