Combating FGM in Africa, another view

DESCRIBED by feminists as another form of cruelty undertaken by men to continue their dominance over women—especially in Africa, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) or cutting is as old as most societies in Asia, Africa and Middle East where it is practised. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines it as comprising all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.

SEEING as a rite of passage and proof of adulthood which helps in raising the status of the victim and increases bravery of initiates, the practice has been argued to be relevant in modern times due to the inability of ladies to stick to a sexual partner. Thus, it is not surprising that immigrants in North America, Europe and Australia are reported to practice FGM.

WRITING in defence of the custom that has ensured that (as of 2006) 3.8 per cent of women aged 15-49, 1.4 per cent of women aged 15-19 and 5.7 per cent aged from 15-19 in Ghana have been cut, an advocate of the practice argued that it saves the victim from a conscience troubled by lustful thoughts or sensations such as masturbation. In addition, he continued, “there is little or no risk of premarital relationships which end in heartbreak or the stigma and social difficulties of illegitimate birth, thus bringing a stronger bondage between husband and wife.”

AS advocates against the practice, the United Nations joined former First Lady of Nigeria, the late Stella Obasanjo, to institute 6th February as a day for “Zero Tolerance for FGM.” It has been argued as an act of wickedness towards women and intended to sideline women in society.

THE act is only seen as a source for the transmission of diseases, especially the dreaded HIV and AIDS, due to the unhygienic conditions in which the circumcision is performed. The WHO writes that the procedure has no health benefits for girls and women can cause severe bleeding and problems with urinating, and later cysts, infections, infertility as well as complications in childbirth increased risk of newborn deaths.

THUS, various articles on the subject call for its abolition and the need for re-habilitation of victims and a possible compensation for victims who have died through it especially in Guinea where FGM has been inflicted on 99% of women there. The Executive Director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Ann M. Veneman, has called for public declaration against the act which to her is necessary in combating the custom of a people.

TODAY wants to join calls for its abolition which would serve the interest of Africans if the ‘outmoded’ custom is abolished. It would not only help in bringing to an end the trauma victims go through and encourage bravery, but also reduce deaths among women of practicing countries.

HOWEVER, the United Nations must be advised that it is not enough to shout from a roof top for its abolition, practitioners need to be educated on the health risks of the practice and the effect on the victims. Practitioners must also be enrolled in a profitable venture since circumcision has become their source of incomes over the years.