There is much scientific literature on the adverse physical health complications that can result from having fgmc, but little is known about its psychological impact and treatment. Female genital mutilation ma dissertation elizabeth bransfield. Aug 11, 2006 female genital mutilation fgm is a traditional practice in some african countries. What you need to know about female genital mutilation. African commission on human and peoples rights african commission, the enforcement body of the african charter on human and peoples rights, has expressly noted the persistence of traditional practices that are harmful to women and children in some african countries such as female genital mutilation.
Bibliometric analysis of literature on female genital. Various forms of female genital mutilationcutting fgmc have been performed for millennia and continue to be prevalent in parts of africa. Various forms of female genital mutilation cutting fgmc have been performed for millennia and continue to be prevalent in parts of africa. It describes its history and its consequences for health, and presents data from 40 case studies around the world. The practice of female genital mutilation henceforth referred to as fgm is a deeprooted one, and one that has inspired furious debate, though relatively little action. Apr 01, 2016 this briefing derives from my lecture 1 april 2016 on female genital mutilation, to postgraduate students at the liverpool school of tropical medicine. 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.
Clinicians continue to publish case reports of complications and the surgical management of type iii female genital mutilation during labor. The practice is most common in areas of africa, the middle east, and parts of. The history of societys relationship and misapprehension of female sexuality is incredibly long and complex, and female genital mutilation forms an intrinsic component. Female genital mutilation ma dissertation elizabeth. Evidence on the impact of fgm legislation was available on prevalence of fgm. Female genital mutilation fgm is defined by the world health organization who as all procedures that are involved in the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons, and is classified into four categories1. Fgmc is usually performed in children aged between 1 month and 15 years, and is therefore relevant to paediatric practice. Female genital mutilation and its effects on women and young girls.
Tobe levin is professor of english and womens studies at the university of maryland, university college europe. Finabas or later known as fina by her adopted family life revolves around her interrupted fgm female genital mutilation initiation process in her village. 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. Female genital mutilation and social media 1st edition. The first federal prosecution of female genital mutilation has women in the us sharing own stories. The second paper, stephen bishops oppositional approaches to female genital mutilation fgm in african literature, argues that literature is an ideal vehicle for discussing a wide range of. Female genital mutilation in african and african american womens. Additionally, as people continue to try to eliminate female genital mutilation through.
This timely and provocative book addresses the controversial issue of female genital mutilation fgm and offers innovative and practical strategies for curbing. The author will also describe female genital mutilation in kenya. Pdf an overview of female genital mutilation in nigeria. Shire, 25, is londons first young poet laureate and works with spoke. Notably, the drive to include language specifically condemning female genital mutilation in the platform was led by africans. Female genital mutilation is a global issue and it effects approximately 100140 million women and girls worldwide who as cited in lavender, 2009, p. By hassan isilow for nearly 17 years, migrants from all over the world have been flocking to south africa, bringing with them their cultural practices. Her book woman at point zero 1975 is a fictionalised version of. Health, general womens issuesgender studies family and marriage female circumcision laws, regulations and rules. Fgm is often seen as a practice isolated to north african countries and some in the middle east, and it is this fact that in the past has seen some hesitancy about. In the novel, the deadly practice of fgm is a comingofage event where a girl finally becomes a woman and belongs to the people of the village.
This pioneering collection discusses representations of female genital mutilation as a theme in literary art. Female genital mutilation is the collective term given to several different practices that involve the cutting of female genitals. Female genital mutilation in african literature 9780955507946. According to the world health organisation who, about a 100m women worldwide have undergone the procedure, which happens to 3m girls under 10 every year.
Female genital mutilation fgm also known as cutting or female circumcision is a procedure carried out on girls and young women which involves removing some or all of the external genitals. Against this background of activity and changing emphasis, the plight of fauziya kassindja, a 17yearold woman from togo, focused public attention in the united states on female circumcision. Empathy and rage is a comprehensive and informative collection of essays from twelve contributors on literary representations of female genital mutilation fgm, or female circumcision, in african and diaspora literature, film and other media. The depiction of female circumcision in selected memoirs by. The depiction of female circumcision in selected memoirs by female african writers and novels by female african american writers. Female genital mutilation fgm, also known as female circumcision, comprises of all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for nonmedical reasons. Please be aware that this story contains a detailed account of what fgm involves, which some readers may find distressing. In order to better understand publishing on this topic, we conducted a bibliometric study on fgmc.
Female genital mutilation fgm is a procedure performed on women in developing countries and is underreported. Female genital mutilation cutting fgmc is the procedure of removing healthy external genitalia from girlswomen for sociocultural reasons. The psychological impact of female genital mutilation. The obstetric consequences of female genital mutilation. Health consequences of female genital mutilationcutting. With increased immigration, health professionals in high income countries including uk, europe, north america and australia care for women and girls. 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. There are different types of fgmc procedures ranging from nicking or pricking the prepuce.
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. It may be carried out on cultural grounds, and is associated with immediate and longterm physical and psychological problems. May 11, 2017 the first federal prosecution of female genital mutilation has women in the us sharing own stories. This briefing derives from my lecture 1 april 2016 on female genital mutilation, to postgraduate students at the liverpool school of tropical medicine. When kenyatta carried out his ethnographic study which culminated in the book, facing mount. Female genital mutilation is a tradition and social custom to keep a young girl pure and a married woman faithful.
The world health organisation who estimates that between 100140 million girls and women have undergone female genital mutilation or cutting fgmc. Female genital mutilation fgm world health organization defined fgm as partial or total removal of external genitalia of the woman or injury to the genitals, on cultural evolution or other nontherapeutic reasons the united nations has estimated that an average of four girls a minute are damaged. Female genital mutilation is a valuable reference for healthcare professionals and others involved in social services, teaching, child protection and police services. Essay on female genital mutilation 1839 words bartleby. The psychological impact of female genital mutilationcutting. Feb 11, 2011 to her this meant that she would be able to survive the brutal practice of female genital mutilation fgn which is commonly practiced in sudan. Female genital mutilation and female genital cutting. Female genital mutilation cutting fgmc is a traditional practice with severe health consequences for girls and women. Contributors not content with silent acquiescence have shown the courage to oppose a harmful practice that. African literatures african american literature genital.
Although the health consequences following fgmc have been broadly investigated, divergent study results have called into question whether fgmc is associated with obstetric consequences. The notes will be updated occasionally, and will i hope serve as an introduction to most of the issues arising in the eradication of fgm, in both lowresource and more structured settings. Fgm secretly happening in south africa africa witness. In seeking to help eliminate the practice, the work places it in a human rights and legal framework. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is the procedure of removing healthy external genitalia from girlswomen for sociocultural reasons. It is proven to have no health benefits for girls and women and is most often performed in nonmedical settings, meaning it is an extremely painful and dangerous experience. The intense emotional responses of empathy and rage bracket a spectrum of feelings people confront when they consider the millions of women and girls who have undergone bolokoli, takhoundi, tukore ir gudni in names in local languages for a procedure that mutilates female genitalia. The practice of female genital mutilation, also known as female circumcision, occurs throughout the world, but it is most common in africa. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is a harmful traditional practice with severe health complications, deeply rooted in many subsaharan african countries. The procedure is carried out at a variety of ages, ranging from shortly after birth to some time during the first pregnancy, but most commonly occurs between. Female genital mutilation and social media is a guide to the complex discourses circulating around fgm in both real and virtual worlds. The practice is also encountered in europe and north america mostly in immigrant communities from countries where the prevalence is high. Asaah is associate professor of modern languages at the university of ghana, where he pioneered research into african feminist literature and genderbased violence in african fiction. According to the world health organisation who, about a 100m women worldwide have undergone the procedure, which happens to.
The effects of female genital mutilation on women of sierra leone. The world health organisation who estimates that 100140 million girls and women have undergone female genital mutilation or cutting fgmc. Health consequences of female genital mutilationcutting in. Female genital mutilation fgm is a traditional practice in some african countries. The health consequences of fgm include bacterial and viral infections, obstetrical complications, and psychological problems. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is a common harmful traditional practice in many communities in africa and to a lesser extent in middle east and other regions in the world. Caseworkers involved with asylum seekers and refugees, childrens charities, and policy makers and shapers will also find it useful, as will researchers and academics. A report on the prevalence of female circumcision and female genital mutilation. This timely and provocative book addresses the controversial issue of female genital mutilation fgm and offers innovative and practical strategies for.
Looking at female circumcision from a literary perspective and how writers are fighting the practice. Female genital mutilation fgm is a harmful practice involving the removal or alteration of parts of the female genitalia for nontherapeutic reasons. Feb 14, 2014 warsan shire recites her poem girls, written exclusively for the guardians campaign to end female genital mutilation fgm. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is a traditional practice with severe health consequences for girls and women. When katie finally returns from africa she needs all of sophias. This study will describe female genital mutilation in kenya and alternative ways of encouraging abandonment of female genital mutilation in kenya. The book also provides an insight into the actualities of the. 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.
The intense emotional responses of empathy and rage bracket a spectrum of feelings people confront when they consider the millions of women and girls who have undergone bolokoli, takhoundi, tukore ir gudniin names in local languages for a procedure that mutilates female genitalia. Who 1997 defines female genital mutilation as all procedures involving partial or total removal of the female external genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs, for non medical reasons. Essay about female genital mutilation 1633 words bartleby. Female genital mutilation female genital mutilation fgm, also known as female circumcision, is a destructive and invasive procedure involving the removal or alteration of female genital. The effects of female genital mutilation on women of. Bibliometric analyses can be used as an indicator of the extent of interaction of researchers, health authorities. In this study, we report fgm societal importance, ramifications, classifications, cultural significance. An africa witness investigation has found that one such practice is female genital mutilation fgm, which. According to utzbilling and kentenich 2008 two million girls worldwide are involved in these practices p.
Oct 10, 2016 female genital mutilation cutting fgmc is a common harmful traditional practice in many communities in africa and to a lesser extent in middle east and other regions in the world. In south africa, she was enrolled in an expensive school, but while in grade 11, she was rudely made to realise that she had not escaped the cruel practice. To clarify the present state of empirical research, we conducted a. Degree programme in social services female genital mutilation fgm is a term used to describe various traditional practices. The objective of this study is to perform a first evaluation of the magnitude of the health consequences of fgmc in the gambia. Some of these practices violate the dignity and human rights of women and children. Even though some societies see female genital mutilation as virtuous for the victims, spouse and the family in addition to serving as a step for the fulfilment of traditional requirements, there. Fgmc is an ancient cultural practice prevalent in 26 countries in africa, the middle east and asia. The practice is found in africa, asia and the middle east, and within communities from countries in which fgm is common. Oct 25, 2016 finabas or later known as fina by her adopted family life revolves around her interrupted fgm female genital mutilation initiation process in her village. This is a book which will surely play a vital role in ending the global.