Female genital mutilation
(FGM) also known as female genital cutting (FGC), female circumcision, or
female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), is defined by the World Health
Organization as 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 various terms emerged in an attempt to balance varying views and opinions on
the practice and to appeal to all stakeholders in the elimination of the
practice (World Health Organisation, (WHO), 2008).
(FGM) also known as female genital cutting (FGC), female circumcision, or
female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), is defined by the World Health
Organization as 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 various terms emerged in an attempt to balance varying views and opinions on
the practice and to appeal to all stakeholders in the elimination of the
practice (World Health Organisation, (WHO), 2008).
The WHO divides the
procedure into four major types. Type I is the partial or total removal of the
clitoris and/or the prepuce, Type II is partial or total removal of the labia minora
and clitoris with or without excision of the labia majora, Type III is
narrowing of the vaginal orifice with creation of a covering seal by cutting
and repositioning the labia minora and/or the labia majora, with or without excision
of the clitoris. It is called infudibulation and is also known as pharaonic circumcision.
Type IV is all other harmful procedures to the female genitalia for nonmedical purposes,
for example, pricking, piercing, incising, scraping and cauterization (Alexia,
2005).
procedure into four major types. Type I is the partial or total removal of the
clitoris and/or the prepuce, Type II is partial or total removal of the labia minora
and clitoris with or without excision of the labia majora, Type III is
narrowing of the vaginal orifice with creation of a covering seal by cutting
and repositioning the labia minora and/or the labia majora, with or without excision
of the clitoris. It is called infudibulation and is also known as pharaonic circumcision.
Type IV is all other harmful procedures to the female genitalia for nonmedical purposes,
for example, pricking, piercing, incising, scraping and cauterization (Alexia,
2005).
According to the WHO, about
100- 140 million girls and women worldwide are currently living with the
consequences of FGM. In Africa, an estimated 91.5 million girls and women aged
9 years and above have undergone the procedure and about three million girls
are at risk for it annually (WHO, 2008).
100- 140 million girls and women worldwide are currently living with the
consequences of FGM. In Africa, an estimated 91.5 million girls and women aged
9 years and above have undergone the procedure and about three million girls
are at risk for it annually (WHO, 2008).
FGM is performed largely by
traditional practitioners (traditional circumcisers and traditional birth
attendants) and worrisomely and increasingly by health professionals mainly
doctors and nurses/midwives (Satti, et
al., 2006). Involvement of health care providers is a violation of both the
rights of the girls and women and also the fundamental ethical principle to ‘do
no harm’ (WHO, 2010). Proponents of medicalization of FGM argued inter alia
that when trained health professionals perform the procedure, there will be a
reduction at least in the immediate risks associated with it. Other reasons why
health professionals perform FGM include economic gain, personal belief in the
propriety of the procedure and pressure to satisfy the cultural demands of the
community where they practice(Christoffersen-Deb, 2005).
traditional practitioners (traditional circumcisers and traditional birth
attendants) and worrisomely and increasingly by health professionals mainly
doctors and nurses/midwives (Satti, et
al., 2006). Involvement of health care providers is a violation of both the
rights of the girls and women and also the fundamental ethical principle to ‘do
no harm’ (WHO, 2010). Proponents of medicalization of FGM argued inter alia
that when trained health professionals perform the procedure, there will be a
reduction at least in the immediate risks associated with it. Other reasons why
health professionals perform FGM include economic gain, personal belief in the
propriety of the procedure and pressure to satisfy the cultural demands of the
community where they practice(Christoffersen-Deb, 2005).
Several measures have been taken
internationally, regionally and at national levels to increase awareness and
eliminate FGM. For example in 2003, the African Union adopted the Maputo
Protocol promoting women’s rights including an end to FGM. This went into force
in November 2005, and by July 2010, 25 member countries had ratified and
deposited the Maputo Protocol (African Union, 2009).
internationally, regionally and at national levels to increase awareness and
eliminate FGM. For example in 2003, the African Union adopted the Maputo
Protocol promoting women’s rights including an end to FGM. This went into force
in November 2005, and by July 2010, 25 member countries had ratified and
deposited the Maputo Protocol (African Union, 2009).
According to the Nigeria
Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) of 2008, the prevalence of FGM in the
country was 29.6%, ranging from 2.7% in the North-East to 53.4% in the South-West.[15]
It was 25.9% in Delta State (National Population Commission, 2008). Traditional
circumcisers performed 63.7% of the procedure, trained nurse/midwives did 7.1%
and doctors were responsible for 1.7% of the procedure. In Delta State, the
traditional circumcisers, trained nurse/midwives and doctors performed 80.8%, 5%
and 0.9% of the procedure respectively (National Population Commission, 2008).
Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) of 2008, the prevalence of FGM in the
country was 29.6%, ranging from 2.7% in the North-East to 53.4% in the South-West.[15]
It was 25.9% in Delta State (National Population Commission, 2008). Traditional
circumcisers performed 63.7% of the procedure, trained nurse/midwives did 7.1%
and doctors were responsible for 1.7% of the procedure. In Delta State, the
traditional circumcisers, trained nurse/midwives and doctors performed 80.8%, 5%
and 0.9% of the procedure respectively (National Population Commission, 2008).