Overview of Female Genital Mutilation
In many cultures, Female Genital Mutilation is a recognized and accepted practice that is considered important for the socialization of women, curbing their sexual appetites and preparing them for marriage. It is considered part of a ritual initiation into womanhood that includes a period of seclusion and education about the rights and duties of a wife. Despite its cultural importance, FGM has drawn considerable criticism because of the potential for both short- and long-term medical complications, as well as harm to reproductive health and infringement on women’s rights (Toubia, 1995).
– National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) 2013
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is “all procedures that involve the partial or total removal of external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons..” The World Health Organization (WHO) 1997. In the three major Nigerian languages, FGM is called…
- Hausa: Kaciyan mata
- Igbo: Ibi Nwanyi Ugwu
- Yoruba: ‘Di dabe fun omo’binrin’
FGM describes the different types of mutilation performed on the female genital organ. FGM is an act of violence against the female body and a human rights violation.
Differences Between FGM and Male Circumcision
Male circumcision involves removing the foreskin, and leaving the male sex organ intact. It has many health benefits such as preventing the swelling of the glans and foreskin.
FGM damages or removes the woman’s sexual organs, causing severe pain, emotional trauma and sexual and reproductive health complications. It has no health benefits.
Types of FGM
Type 1 – removal of the clitoral hood with or without the removal of the clitoris
Type 2 – removal of the clitoris and partial or total removal of the vaginal lips (Labia minora & majora)
Type 3 – removal of the clitoris, vaginal lips and the stitching of the vagina, leaving a small opening
Type 4 – piercing the clitoris, cauterization by burning of the clitoris and surrounding tissue; scraping of tissue surrounding the vaginal opening or cutting of the vagina; introducing corrosive substances or herbs into the vagina to make it bleed or become tight.
When is FGM Carried out?
It depends on the community! It can be done at infancy (8 days after birth); before age 15 years; as a rite of passage from childhood to womanhood. It is also done before marriage, at first pregnancy, after first delivery, or even at death.
Who performs FGM in Nigeria?
Traditional agents (traditional circumciser, Trad. birth attendant & others)
Health professionals (Nurse/midwife, Doctor, and others). Source: NDHS 2018
Traditional agents – 92.8% of girls (0–14yrs) 85.4% of women (15–49yrs)
Health professionals (mostly nurse/midwives) 7.0% of girls (0–14yrs) 8.6% of women (15–49yrs)
Note: Any Health professionals who performs FGM, can be prosecuted for Professional Misconduct.
Why Do Communities Practice FGM?
| Motivations for FGM | Rationales/ Beliefs |
|---|---|
| Superstition | – Belief in supernatural forces influencing health and well-being. |
| Preserve Chastity and Purification | – View FGM as a means to maintain a woman’s purity and cleanliness. |
| Family Honor | – FGM seen as a tradition upholding the honor and status of a family. |
| Hygiene | – Perceived improvement in personal and societal cleanliness. |
| Esthetics | – Cultural ideals of beauty and conformity driving FGM practices. |
| Protect Virginity | – FGM believed to safeguard a woman’s virginity until marriage. |
| Prevent Promiscuity | – FGM thought to discourage premarital or extramarital sexual activity. |
| Modification of Sociosexual Attitudes | – FGM seen as a way to shape and control societal views on sexuality. |
| Increase Sexual Pleasure of Husband | – Misguided belief that FGM enhances male sexual satisfaction. |
| Enhance Fertility | – Erroneous belief in a positive impact on a woman’s fertility. |
| Increase Matrimonial Opportunities | – Cultural perception that FGM enhances a woman’s eligibility for marriage. |
| Prevent Mother and Child from Dying During Childbirth | – Superstition around improved maternal and child health outcomes through FGM. |
Complications Following FGM
FGM has serious implications for the sexual and reproductive health of girls and women.
Effects of FGM depend on…
Type performed
Expertise of the practitioner
Hygiene conditions under which it is performed
amount of resistance
general health condition of the girl/woman undergoing the procedure.
Complications may occur in all types of FGM, but are most frequent with infibulation.
The complications include:
| Complications and Effects | Description |
|---|---|
| Intense pain (especially in the absence of a pain reliever) | Severe pain is experienced, particularly when the procedure lacks appropriate pain relief measures. This intense pain can have significant short- and long-term effects on the well-being and mental health of the individual. |
| Excessive bleeding (which can result in death) | The removal or damage to genital tissues can lead to uncontrollable bleeding, with potential fatal consequences. This life-threatening complication emphasizes the gravity of the immediate risks associated with Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). |
| Urinary incontinence or inability to urinate at all | Infections of the genital area, including the development of fistulas, can result in urinary incontinence or a complete inability to urinate. These complications not only impact physical health but also have significant implications for the individual’s quality of life. |
| Difficulties during menstruation (infections, blockage of blood discharge) | Menstrual complications may arise due to infections or blockages caused by FGM. This can lead to further health issues and discomfort during menstruation, affecting the overall reproductive health of women who have undergone FGM. |
| Clitoral neuroma (a tumour that arises from cutting or damaging a nerve) | Cutting or damaging a nerve during FGM can lead to the development of clitoral neuroma. This tumor can cause pain, sensations of electric discharge, or chronic pain in the surrounding area. Activities like sitting, sexual intercourse, or friction of underpants can exacerbate the pain. |
| Difficulties during intercourse and childbirth (delivery complications, fissures, fistulas, keloids, and cysts) | FGM-induced complications during intercourse and childbirth include delivery complications, fissures due to scars that reduce skin elasticity, fistulas, keloids, and cysts. These issues pose significant challenges to sexual and reproductive health, affecting both physical and psychological well-being. |
| Sexual and Psychological Complications | Descriptions |
|---|---|
| Dyspareunia | Pain experienced during sexual intercourse. |
| Decreased Sexual Satisfaction | Reduced pleasure and fulfillment from sexual activity. |
| Reduced Sexual Desire and Arousal | Diminished interest and arousal in sexual activities. |
| Decreased Lubrication during Sexual Intercourse | Insufficient natural lubrication, leading to discomfort during sex. |
| Reduced Frequency of Orgasm or Anorgasmia | Infrequent or absence of orgasms during sexual activities. |
| Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) | A psychological condition resulting from traumatic experiences, in this case, FGM. |
| Anxiety Disorder | Persistent feelings of unease, worry, or fear related to the traumatic experience of FGM. |
| Depression | Prolonged and intense feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and lack of interest in activities. |
Human rights violated by the practice of FGM
Right to the highest attainable standard of health
Right to life and physical integrity, including freedom from violence
Right to freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment
Right to equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sex
Rights of the Child
Why has it been difficult to stop FGM?
Interventions focused only on medical & legal issues:
Medicalization of the Practice of FGM: Families seek the aid of medical personnel to perform FGM on their daughters to minimize or alleviate medical issues. The medicalization of the practice leads to legitimization which is undesirable in the effort to abandon the practice.
Criminalization of the Practice of FGM: The practice of FGM may continue underground.
Those who abide simply do so in fear of legal consequences, not because of attitudinal change.
FGM is a social norm: A social rule of behavior that members of a community follow in the belief that others expect them to follow suit.
Compliance with a social rule is motivated by expectations of social rewards for adherence to the rule and social sanctions for non-adherence.
The practice of FGM is interdependent: The behavior of an individual/family is conditioned by an individual’s/family’s perceptions/expectations of what others do and think, whether or not these are reflected in reality. The interdependent nature of social norms make it difficult for individuals or families to abandon the practice independently.
National Efforts to end FGM in Nigeria:
Policies and legislation
POLICY: National Policy and Plan of Action on Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation in Nigeria (2021-2025)
LEGISLATION: National: Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP), 2015 – Penalty for FGM: “4years in prison or fine of N200,000 or both”.
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[…] Nigeria. However, her identity extends far beyond her professional titles; she is a survivor of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). In a candid interview, Cynthia shared her story, shedding light on the profound impact FGM has had […]