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 non- medical reasons (WHO). This is also known as female circumcision or cutting. FGM is mostly carried out on young girls between infancy and age 15; it is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women.
According to UN, FGM is performed for a number of reasons, including promoting virginity before marriage but this practice has no health benefits for girls it causes severe bleeding, problem urinating and health issues including infections, cysts and infertility, as well as complications in child births and increased risk of newborn deaths. Those who had undergone FGM faced a significantly greater risk of requiring caesarean section, an episiotomy and an extended hospital stay and also suffering post partum haemorrhage compared with women who had not been subjected to FGM
SIGNS TO KNOW IF YOU HAD FGM; having difficulty in walking, standing or sitting, spending longer time in the bathroom or toilet, appearing quiet, anxious or depressed, reluctance to go to the doctors or have routine medical examinations.
According to WHO, more than 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone female genital mutilation in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia? This reflects deep rooted inequality between the sexes and constitutes an extreme form of discrimination against girls and women. It is majorly carried out by traditional practitioners on minors and is a violation of the rights of children, rights to health, security and physical integrity; the right to be free from torture and cruel inhuman or degrading treatment and the right to life, when the procedure leads to death.
“They made me realize the disadvantages and implications in doing mutilation for the female child” (Adebayo) “I urge every parent to put an end to the female circumcision because of the problems that might come out from there later in the future,” he added.
The FEMALE child is vulnerable; pay attention to her also we have come to realize that FGM has cause more harm than good, in that case, let us all join in advocating and fighting for HER right, SAY NO TO FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION.
