Female Mutilation

The subject of female genital mutilation (FGM), which has been buried in secrecy and taboo for several generations, is finally being brought to the surface by feminists, health practitioner, and social scientists concerned with the physical and moral well being of women and girls.
 
             FGM constitutes all procedures which involve partial or total removal of the external female genital organs or injury to the female genital organs whether for cultural or any non therapeutic reasons (Duncan and Herland, 2000; WHO, 1998; & Essen et al, 2000).
 
There are different types of FGM known to be practiced today, they include type I ( Sunna Circumcision). The most common type of FGM is excision of the clitoris and the labi minora accounting for up to 80% of all cases; the most extreme formis infibulation, which constitute 15% of all procedures. (US. Department of state. Egypt, 2001; & www.forwarduk.org, 2004).
 
            The justifications given for the practice are multiple and reflect the idiological & historical situation of the societies in which it has developed. Reasons cited generally relate to tradition, power inequalities and the ensuing compliance of women to dictates of their communities. (WHO, 1997; www. research.umbe., 2002; & Sarah R, Hyford, 2005).
 
            The root of female genital mutilation are complex and numerous; it has not been possible to determine when & where the tradition of FGM originated. Many women believe that FGM is necessary to ensure acceptance by their community; they are unaware that FGM is not practiced in most of the world. FGM is usually performed by traditional practitioner with crude instruments & without anesthetic. (WHO, 1997; WHO, 2001; & Sarah R, Hyford, 2005).
 
FGM causes grave damage to girls and women and frequently results in short and long term health consequences.The effect on health depends on the skill of the operator, the cleanliness of the tools and the environment and the physical condition of right or women concerned.( Elchalal, 1997; Essen,2000; & Obermeyer,2003).
             
 
 
 
 
The immediate and long term health complication include sever pain, shock, urine retention, injury to adjacent tissue. Hemorrhage and infection can cause death. More recently, concern has arisen about possible transmission of immunodeficiency virus (HIV) due to the use of one instrument in multiple operations WHO, 1998; & www.forwarduk.org, 2004).
 
              Long term consequences include cysts and abscess, keliod scar formation, urinary incontinence, dysparonnia (painful sexual intercourse) & difficulties with child birth. Psychological health: Genital mutilation may leave a lasting mark on the mind of the women who has undergone it. In the long term, women may suffer feeling of irritability & depression.(Duncan and Herland,2000; Essen,2000;& Obermeyer,2003).
 
            Experiences show that many people in the societies concerned do not naturally see the link between genital mutilation suffered by a women in her childhood and pain, infection and health problems she may suffer in her later years.(www.research.umbe,2002; & Abd El – tawab,2003).
 
            Globally, WHO estimate that between 100 and 132 million girls and women have been subjected to FGM. Each year, a further 2 million girls are estimated to be at risk of the practice. Most of them live in African countries, a few in the Middle East & Asian countries, and increasingly in Europe, Australia, Newzealand, UnitedState of America & Canada (WHO, 1998; & WHO, 2001).
 
             In Egypt the most common forms of FGM or female genital cutting (FGC), still widely practiced throughout Egypt are type I & type II. These practices are wide spread but are even more prevalent in rural than urban areas. They are common among both Muslims & Coptic Christians. Type III in Egypt is referred as “Sudanese Circumcision” is founded only among a few ethnic groups in southern part of the country (WHO, 2001; &www. research. umbe, 2002).
 
  In 2000, U S Agency for International Development (USAID) funded the fourth in a series of Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted in Egypt. This nationally representive survey of 15.648 ever married aged 15 – 49 found that the practice is nearly universal among women of reproductive age in Egypt. Preliminary analysis 2000 finding show that 97% of women surveyed have undergone this procedure. 78% in 2000 versus 83% in 1995. and intention of women surveyed to have    their daughters undergo one of these procedure 31% in 2000 versus 38% in 1995. (WHO, 2001; US. Department of state. Egypt,2001;& www.forwarduk.org, 2004).
           
Many Egyptian believe that this is an important part of maintaining female chastity,  which  is  part  of  religious  tradition.  One  of  the  main  factors  behind   the
 
 
 
persistence of the practice is its social significance for female. In communities where it is practiced, a woman achieves recognition through marriage & child bearing and many families refuse to accept as marriage partner, a woman who has not under gone the procedures. (WHO, 2001;  & US. Department of state. Egypt,  2001).