Written by: Neha Vashist
This is how it begins. The girls are told that they are going to the forest to jump from trees and learn the secrets of being a woman. They are told, whatever happens, they should not cry and accept everything, like their mother and grandmother, before them. What happens next is unimaginable. A practice not cited in any religious texts but culturally embodied by certain communities as a symbol of faith and purity. A procedure over 200 million women and girls alive today have undergone known as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
According to the World Health Organization, FGM includes procedures that can intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. It is usually performed without permission and often against their will. The methods used to carry out this process are often unhygienic, unsafe, and performed without administering anesthetics. Not only is this process painful, but it can also cause death, severe bleeding, infections, and infertility. FGM leads to complications in childbirth and an increased risk of newborn and maternal deaths. In addition, the average age for girls to undergo FGM is between 7 and 10 years old. The prolonged pain and trauma that these young girls experience can unfortunately leave psychological scars.
Around the world, FGM continues to be practiced due to discriminatory social and cultural norms. In some communities, FGM is considered an essential part of a girl’s upbringing. It is considered a rite of passage and performed on a girl as she enters adulthood. In other communities, FGM is performed to preserve a girl’s virginity or used to control girls from engaging in sexual acts before marriage. In addition, certain communities believe that girls are “clean” or “beautiful” only if they are cut. At the root of these beliefs is gender inequality – a perceived need to control female sexuality to preserve family honour. Above all, FGM is a form of gender-based violence and a violation of women’s and girls’ human rights.
The practice exists in virtually every part of the world but the incidence of FGM is highest in many parts of Africa, many Middle Eastern countries and in some parts of South and southeast Asia. For example according to PLAN International, in Guinea nearly 99% of girls undergo FGM.
The good news is that change is coming. According to a recent study, rates of female genital mutilation have fallen dramatically among girls in Africa since the 1990s, especially in East Africa – dropping from 71% of girls under 14 in 1995, to 8% in 2016. Organizations like Plan International work with community stakeholders such as parents, government authorities, and youth to raise awareness, challenge lawmakers, help transform behaviour and put an end to harmful traditional practices that violate girls’ sexual and reproductive health and rights, including FGM.
So what can you do? Spread the word! Education has been the number one driving force behind the declining rates of female genital mutilation. This is an issue that is commonly swept under the rug because it is considered taboo and uncomfortable to talk about so having open dialogues with others to spread awareness and supporting organizations taking active steps to combat the practice of FGM will go a long way in changing the lives of girls all over the world.
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