Female genital mutilation fgm comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons. Female genital mutilation fgm2 is the collective name given to several different traditional practices that involve the cutting of female genitals. Female genital mutilation in different parts of the african continent is considered as one of the vast territorys social problems. Yet, while ending female genital mutilation or cutting fgmc, both terminologies are used in the literature is a target under the sustainable development goals, the practice remains common. Abstract the problem of female genital mutilation fgm among some communities in kenya continues unabated despite a declining trend in its overall prevalence rate. Female genital mutilation cutting fgmc is a traditional practice in which the external female genitalia is partially or totally incised or excised for a nontherapeutic reason, usually without. Partial or complete removal of the clitoris andor the prepuce.
Female genital mutilation cutting fgmcthe partial or complete removal of a female s external genitalia. Personal interviews help to expand and enrich the discussion. Evidence to end fgmc is led by the population council, nairobi in partnership with the africa coordinating centre for the abandonment. Fgm is a violation of womens rights, childrens rights, human rights. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is a global concern. New estimates on child malnutrition for the indicators of stunting, wasting, severe wasting, and overweight released by unicef, who and the world bank, to describe the magnitude and patterns of malnutrition in children under 5 around the world. The practice is mostly carried out by traditional circumcisers, who often play other central roles in communities, such as attending childbirths. Practiced in many parts of the world, fgm violates the dignity as well as the right for many girls to govern her own body. Female genital mutilation happens primarily in africa, in particular in northeastern, eastern and western africa. While international and regional human rights instruments have recognized female genital mutilation cutting fgmc as one of the most prevalent forms of violence against women and girls, in many african states fgmc is a deeply entrenched cultural practice. Fgm is an unsafe, unsterile procedure that is taking place in many foreign countries around the world including egypt, the sudan, the horn of africa.
Who study group on female genital mutilation and obstetric outcome. Effects of female genital mutilation on childbirth in africa. Globally, it is estimated that some 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone some form of fgm. Every girl and woman has the right to be protected from this harmful practice, a manifestation of entrenched gender inequality with devastating consequences. What international human rights law says about female genital. Jun 07, 2012 female genital mutilation fgm is one of the cultural practises embedded amongst the venda community of northeast of south africa. Female genital mutilation fgm, or female genital cutting, also known as female. An analytical approach to female genital mutilation in west africa amir bahram arab ahmadi1 abstract. A black african feminist theory to examine female genital. Female genital mutilation fgm is a term used to describe various traditional practices that involve the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for cultural and traditional reasons in many african societies.
The health consequences of fgm include bacterial and viral infections, obstetrical complications, and psychological problems. What international human rights law says about female genital mutilation international law is the set of rules and minimum standards that governs relations between states. Eight weeks or less after childbirth, venda women undergo a traditional ceremony called muthuso. What international human rights law says about female. Department of justice doj, office of justice programs ojp, office for victims of crime ovc is seeking applications for funding for programs to address the practice of female genital mutilation and cutting.
Fgmc is common in africa with varying prevalence in different countries. An analytical approach to female genital mutilation in. Translation amharic pdf translation arabic pdf translation bahasa pdf english pdf. The procedure is performed using a blade or shard of glass by a religious leader, town elder, or a medical professional with limited training. Health consequences of female genital mutilationcutting in. Female genital mutilation is recognized both internationally and locally to. It is typically done between infancy and the age of 15, but adult women may also undergo the.
Fgm is when a female s genitals are deliberately altered or removed for nonmedical reasons. We are updating the title of this fact sheet and the way we refer to fgc by using the term female genital mutilation or cutting fgmc. Its also known as female circumcision or cutting, but has. In 2012, the united nations general assembly adopted a. Female circumcision fc or female genital mutilation fgm describes practices that manipulate, alter, or remove the external genital organs in young girls and women. Health impacts of female genital mutilationcutting. Female genital mutilationcutting in africa odukogbe. This fact sheet has been updated to include the most current and commonly used terms for female genital cutting fgc.
It occurs mainly in countries along a belt stretching from senegal in west africa to somalia in east africa and to yemen in the middle east, but it is also practised in some parts of southeast asia. Female genital mutilation fgm is a practice that involves altering or injuring the female genitalia for nonmedical reasons, and it is internationally recognized as a human rights violation. May 15, 2017 female genital mutilation refers to the partial or complete removal of the external female genitalia. Definition also called female circumcision, fgm consists of the removal of part, or all of the external genitalia of a girl or woman. Nigeria, due to its large population, has the highest absolute number of female genital mutilation fgm worldwide, accounting for about onequarter of the estimated 115 million circumcised women in. The term mutilation takes away dignity from females who have been cut by suggesting that they are mutilated or broken. Partial or total removal of the clitoris andor the prepuce clitoridectomy. If you believe you are at risk of fgmc, know of someone at risk of fgmc, have questions about fgmc, or have undergone fgmc and need help or further. Understanding and addressing violence against women female genital mutilation female genital mutilation1 fgm is internationally recognized as a violation of the human rights of girls and women, reflecting deeprooted inequality between the sexes.
Pdf download female genital mutilation in africa free. Female genital mutilation world health organization. It details just one familys experience with the decadesold tradition of female genital mutilation cutting fgmc as practiced in southeastern nigeria. The book concludes with thoughts on the movement from tradition. Not only is it practiced among communities in africa and the middle east, but also in immigrant communities throughout the world. An update on whos work on female genital mutilation fgm classification of female genital mutilation type i. Female genital mutilation and the sexual blinding of women, the tyranny of patriarchy and the oppressive nature of gender relations in african cultures are evidenced most. Feb 26, 2018 more than 200 million women have undergone female genital mutilation fgm with 3 million more at risk every single year. Female genital mutilation in south africa africlaw. Female genital mutilation fgm refers to all procedures involving partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons. Partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, with or without excision of the labia majora excision. Female genital mutilation cutting fgm c is a traditional practice with severe health consequences for girls and women. The practice is found in africa, asia and the middle east, and within communities from countries in which fgm is common. Female genital mutilation cutting fgmc is a harmful traditional practice with severe health complications, deeply rooted in many subsaharan african countries.
The history, the current prevalence and the approach to a patient jewel llamas april 2017 introduction female circumcision, also known as female genital mutilation fgm or female genital cutting fgc, is practiced in many countries spanning parts of africa. Fgc, is practiced in many countries spanning parts of africa, the middle east and southeast. This program furthers the departments mission by improving public safety by supporting victims of crime. Pdf female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is a traditional practice in which the external female genitalia is partially or totally incised or. Female genital mutilation cutting fgm c is a traditional practice in which the external female genitalia is partially or totally incised or excised for a nontherapeutic reason, usually without the consent of the individual. Female genital mutilation fgm, or female genital cutting, also known as female circumcision, is a traditional practice that involves the partial or total removal or alteration of girls or womens genitalia. Were here to support you and have advice to help you keep children and young people safe from fgm.
There is a reason why it is no longer called female circumcision and is now being referred to as female genital mutilation. Female genital mutilation fgm, also known as female genital cutting and female circumcision, is the ritual cutting or removal of some or all of the external female genitalia. For those who support the continuation of the practice, fgm is considered to be a thread. Under international law, female genital mutilation fgm is a human rights violation, torture, and an extreme form of violence and discrimination against girls and women. The attention given to the issue of female genital mutilation or cutting fgmc as a harmful practice has been growing in recent years.
Female genital mutilationnew knowledge spurs optimism more likely. There are populationbased data on fgm prevalence from all african countries in which the practice has been. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is a human rights issue that affects girls and women worldwide. Since fgm is almost always carried out on minors, it is also a violation of the rights of children. In recent years, the procedure has been medicalized in some regions and it is carried out in health care facilities by trained health care personnel. A research blog by serene chung which investigates the psychological effects of female genital mutilation fgm within migrant communities in the united kingdom. Government fact sheet on female genital mutilation or. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is the partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for cultural or other nontherapeutic reasons. Female genital cutting centers for disease control and.
Pdf female genital mutilationcutting in africa researchgate. Female genital mutilation has historically been confined to countries of cultural origin within the african sphere. More than 200 million women and girls alive today have been victims of female genital mutilation fgm 1 in africa, the middle east, and asia. This book discusses the definition and types of fgm and explores the common justifications for the practice, along with the incidence in africa, global laws, legal issues, rights and religion. If you believe you are at risk of fgmc, know of someone at risk of fgmc, have questions about fgmc, or have undergone fgmc and need help or further information, please contact the number below. The psychological effects of female genital mutilation.
Female genital mutilationcutting in africa odukogbe translational. Female mutilation in islamic northeastern africa, or alice walker and pratibha parmars warrior marks. The issue of female genital mutilation, a practice encompassing a partial or complete removal of the clitoris, has been a tricky and contentious subject for. A case study using female genital mutilation kirsten moore, ba, kate randolph, ma, nahid toubia, md and elizabeth kirberger, jd, mph this article explores the usefulness of the human rights paradigm for dealing with the legal, political, and social ques tions raised by health issues, with particular emphasis on. Afrika female genital mutilation in west africa landinfo 2007.
Health consequences of female genital mutilationcutting. Mapping the lack of public initiative against female genital mutilation in denmark. Female genital mutilation refers to the partial or complete removal of the external female genitalia. Female genital mutilation fgm is a harmful practice prevalent in 35 countries, mainly in africa, as well as in some middle eastern countries and a few asian countries. Moreover, recent data reveal that it occurs on a much larger scale than previously thought. Fgm is one of the harmful traditional practices that is widely practiced in at least 28 african countries, parts of.
Female genital mutilation in the middle east and north africa 11 fig. Female genital mutilation unfpa united nations population. To readers of fran hoskens report, esther hickss infibulation. However, it also takes place in the middle east, in southeast asia and also among immigrants in europe. The united states is committed to ending female genital mutilation or cutting fgmc. Female genital mutilation fgm is a procedure performed on women in developing countries and is underreported.
Progress report an update on whos work on female genital. Female genital mutilation or cutting fgmc means piercing, cutting, removing, or sewing closed all or part of a girls or womans external genitals for no medical reason. Pdf an overview of female genital mutilation in nigeria. Considering avaiable literature and interviews with experts, serene analyses the psychological disorders suffered by the individual, considering their migrant cultural identity and also considers the. Nearly universal in a few african countries, fgm is practiced by. Understanding and addressing violence against women. One in four nigerian women between the ages of 15 and 49 years has experienced fgm, making the country number three in the world following egypt and ethiopia, the. In africa, it is estimated that about 92 million girls corresponding author. The purpose of this research is to investigate the issue of female genital mutilation in africa, as one of the biggest social problems that is affecting the majority of women and young girls. The history, the current prevalence and the approach to a patient jewel llamas april 2017 introduction female circumcision, also known as female genital mutilation fgm or female genital cutting fgc, is practiced in many countries spanning parts of africa, the middle east and southeast asia. Female genital mutilation fgm, sometimes called female cutting or female circumcision, is described by the world health organization who as comprising all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitals, or other injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons.
The age at which female genital mutilation is carried out varies from one region to. This brief uses the term female genital cutting because. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is a traditional practice in which the external female genitalia is partially or totally incised or excised for a non. Genital mutilation female genital mutilation female genital mutilation fgm is a customary practice affecting the health of children. Female genital mutilation fgm and cutting is a subject of global interest, with many countries of the world still practicing it despite efforts by the who and other agencies to discourage the practice. Exploration of pathways related to the decline in female. Female genital mutilationcutting in af rica female genital mutilation cutting fgmc is a traditional practice in which the external female genitalia is partially or totally incised or excised for a nontherapeutic reason, usually without the consent of the individual. According to estimates by the world health organisation who 200 million women are affected by fgm worldwide. Feminist theory and the practice of female genital. Female genital mutilation fgm the practice of disfiguring the female body and destroying sites of pleasure as mapped onto that body occur all over the world, but are most commonly practiced in areas of africa, the middle east and in.
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