The
procedure of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) comprises the
involvement of partial or total removal of the external female genitalia. There
are some risks associated with FGM/C including both short term and long term
consequences. The short term consequences are severe pain, shock, haemorrhage
(bleeding), tetanus or sepsis (bacterial infection), urine retention, open
sores in the genital region and injury to nearby genitaltissue. The long term
consequences including recurrent bladder and urinary tract infections, cysts,
infertility, an increased risk of childbirth complications and newborn death .There
were other consequences as well including death, life-long physical disability,
life-long disability in sexual life, hindering natural physical movements,
absence of erogenous feelings in sexual intercourse, severe pain and bleeding
during and/or immediately after sexual intercourse, and cases of maternal death
during delivery.
In
many setting where FGM/C is practiced, it is justified because there is a
social consensus that if households or individuals do not perform FGM/C on
their girls/women, they risk being excluded, criticized, ridiculed, stigmatized
or the household would unable to find a suitable partner to marriage for their
daughters. Coyne and Coyne speak of the ‘identity economics’ perpetuating
FGM/C, and point out the role of older, circumcised females as being key players
in perpetuating FGM/C. Although the government of Kenya has made this practice
illegal with laws passed long ago, the people of Pokot regularly disobey the
laws and continue practicing FGM/C, sometimes secretly and sometimes openly. As
a result, by August 2009 close to 80% of Pokot girls took part in FGM/C in
order to become eligible for marriage in the traditional society. Because of
continued practices of FGM/C, the international community has continued support
to abolish or eradicate the harmful and risky practice. Read more..............
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