Female genital mutilation (FGM) according to World Health Organization(WHO) 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. The act is particularly carried out by traditional practitioners and in some cases, although with evidence, there are greater involvement of health care providers in performing FGM due to the belief that the procedure is safer when medicalized.
Our guest on Let’s Talk FGM spotlighted the issues of FGM. Ajayi Florence Abosede defined FGM as an inherited traditional practice inflicted on women and girls worldwide.
She said, “Many see it as culture or value and many believe that if the lady is not circumcised she will be promiscuous.
“FGM is a risk for women or girls because when it gets to the stage of sexual intercourse with their partners they tend to experience pains and during delivery, they also experience pain as a result of the scars left by the act of circumcision.
“There are several ways of advocating against the practice of Female Genital Mutilation. First, we can start by creating awareness and outreach, going to churches, mosques, market places to raise awareness. There should also be laws and enforcement of these laws that protect women and girls from the practice.”
FGM is internationally recognized as a violation of the human rights of girls and women and it is a reflection of deep-rooted inequality. FGM constitutes an extreme form of discrimination against girls and women and in most cases, carried out on minors.
