THE ISSUE OF GENITAL MUTILATION IN AFRICAN WOMEN

My interest in Female Genital Mutilation grew more when I read about the recent case of the 31 year old Afusat Saliu, and her two children aged one and three who nearly faced deportation to Nigeria last week Friday. Having being a victim of FGM she appealed to Home Office on the grounds that her daughters could most likely go through the same ordeal if sent back to Nigeria. Fortunately her appeal was granted after her MP’s last minute intervention. Waris Dirie, UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador and spokesperson on FGM also shared her experience. In her own words, “mama tied a blindfold over my eyes. The next thing I felt my flesh was being cut away. I heard the blade sawing back and forth through my skin. The pain between my legs was so intense I wished I would die” According to World Health Organisation WHO, about 100-140 million African women have undergone FGM worldwide; apparently, about 3 million girls are at risk of the practice in Africa alone. So what is Female Genital Mutilation? According to WHO, Female Genital Mutilation involves all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or any form of injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. With basic tools such as knives, scissors, scalpels, razor blades etc, an older woman with no medical training traditionally carries out the procedure with no use of any form of anaesthetics and antiseptic treatment. After the procedure, either iodine or a mixture of traditional herbs is placed on the wound for the purpose of tightening the vagina and stop the bleeding; The procedure is often carried out in baby girls shortly after birth ,labour of a first child, and between ages 3& 9 which solely depends on the community or family. Some of these girls confessed the degree of mutilation varies, implying there are immediate short-term impact as well as long-term ones.

From what I gathered the short-term implications include:

·         Severe Pain and Shock

·         Victims are prone to infections

·         There is an increased tendency to have urine retention problem

·         Adjacent tissues are injured

·         Fatal haemorrhaging is experienced after the procedure

Here are few of the Long term implications.

·         There is an extensive damage to the external reproductive system.

·         The individual is prone to uterus, vaginal and pelvic infection

·         Development of cysts and neuromas

·         Sexual dysfunction. Women who undergo FGM do not enjoy sex. There is no appetite for sex, which is very unhealthy.

·         Difficulties in menstruation

·         There is an increased risk of Vesico Fistula. This is an abnormal connection between two bodily organs. It happens during obstructed labour when the blood supply to the tissues of the vagina and bladder are restricted. The tissues die as a result leading to formation of holes through which urine passes uncontrollably.

·         Complications in pregnancy and childbirth increase a great deal and finally

·         Psychological damages which could either be psyco-sexual or social.

Following the research and Information gathered on FGM (and many more which I preferred not to write down for sensitivity reasons) it is crystal clear, this is not a healthy practice. No matter the justifications of FGM, it is evil. It is a huge case of human rights violation. Thanks to END FGM, a European Campaign led by Amnesty International Ireland, who are working in partnership with a number of organisations in EU member states, aiming to put FGM high on EU agenda to be the voice of victims of FGM and girls who are at risk too, also aiming to put an END to FGM.

Know your right! Become more aware!! XX