October 24: Initial FGM Research

While my own generated interest in the inhumane practice of FGM arose from the un-ignorably shocking nature of the practice, my knowledge on the topic was not extensive. Indeed, I had obtained a certain level of knowledge regarding the reasoning behind the practice, who the practice generally affects, etc. However, whatever minimal knowledge I had obtained did not include any technicalities. Consequently, my research culminated in inevitable shock-- accompanied by a profoundly heightened interest in the subject.
Most shocking, perhaps, were the technical procedures of the practice itself. While the inexplicable cruelty of the procedure can be deduced from the name alone, the variety and maliciousness of the practices is hardly encompassed-- even in as suggestive a word as “mutilation.” The World Health Organization website offered a useful fact sheet that provided a concise but knowledgeable description of FGM (http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs241/en/). FGM is a variety of procedures that intentionally alter or injure female genital organs for non-medical reasons. While it is a rather Africa-specific problem, I was surprised to learn that other portions of the world practice FGM. In fact, an estimated 100 to 140 million girls worldwide are currently living with the consequences of FGM. Even more shocking was the fact that in Africa, 3 million girls are at risk for FGM-- annually.
While the procedure offers no health benefits, the potential for medical problems is extensive. It can cause severe bleeding, problems urinating, potential childbirth complications and even newborn deaths. The unnatural removal of healthy body tissue interferes with natural functions of the body. Severe pain, shock, hemorrhaging, and bacterial infections alone are potential short-term consequences. While the practice is mostly carried out between infancy and the age of 15, the effects of the practice are often felt for a lifetime. In some instances, the practice is performed on women up to the age of 30!
An in-depth description of FGM is not for the weak of heart. It was especially surprising to learn that there was actually a variety of methods. Such a primitive practice actually follows some sort of structure! In fact, some communities have even started to shift from village-appointed operators to certified surgeons. While this should be a positive change in that it makes the practice safer, it is disheartening in that it reflects FGM supporters’ desire to cling to the practice-- going so far as to “remedy” some of the main arguments against the practice. The practice is carried out in 4 main procedures: clitoridectomy, excision, infibulation, and other. Essentially, the procedure varies between a partial or total removal of the clitoris, partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, narrowing--or essentially sealing-- the vaginal opening (with or without the removal of the clitoris), and any pricking, piercing, scarring, scraping, etc. performed on the genital region. The extensiveness of the procedures connote not only the torturous and inhumane aspects of the procedure but the unimaginable pain the women must undergo.
Moreover, the prevalence of FGM was surprising. The Center for Reproductive Rights offered shocking statistics (http://www.reproductiverights.org/pub_fac_fgmicpd.html). FGM is prevalent in about 28 African countries and among a few minority groups in Asia. Significant differences from country to country were extremely shocking. The prevalence rate in Mali is 92%, compared to Senegal’s 28%! There is even a correlation between area and severity of the procedure. While it is estimated that 15% of all circumcised women have undergone the most severe form of FGM (which involves the narrowing of the vaginal opening), approximately 80% to 90% of all circumcisions in Djibouti, Somalia, and Sudan are of this type.
Learning about the intricacies and the prevalence of FGM largely enhanced my interest in the topic. The seemingly deep-seated nature of the issue especially heightened my interest in Tostan. I am curious to learn about Tostan’s approach to such a prevalent and tradition-backed problem.