FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION

I grew up believing that is normal and beneficial to have a female child circumcised like a male child until, i saw a woman whose vaginal orifice is smaller than a pin head!
The circumcision of a female child has no benefit to the child and the community , it constitutes a lot of hazard and must stop in every part of the world where it is still being practised.
 I have decided to play my  part in the campaign to END Female genital mutilation by presenting in today's blog some of the world health organization assertions.

What is female genital Mutilation?
Female circumcision also known as female genital mutilation (FGM) is the total or partial cutting/removal of the external female genitalia or injury to the female genital organ for non-medical reason.
It alters the female genitalia(sexual organs), may disfigure it and cause a lot of untoward effects.
It is a criminal action, considered as violence towards women, a violation of women(human) right, and should not be allowed.

Types:
All of the types below are forms of Females genital mutilation  and are written as explained by world Health Organization.
Type 1: Often referred to as clitoridectomy, this is the partial or total removal of the clitoris (a small, sensitive and erectile part of the female genitals), and in very rare cases, only the prepuce (the fold of skin surrounding the clitoris).
Type 2: Often referred to as excision, this is the partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora (the inner folds of the vulva), with or without excision of the labia majora (the outer folds of skin of the vulva ).
Type 3: Often referred to as infibulation, this is the narrowing of the vaginal opening through the creation of a covering seal. The seal is formed by cutting and repositioning the labia minora, or labia majora, sometimes through stitching, with or without removal of the clitoris (clitoridectomy).
Type 4: This includes all other harmful procedures to the female genitalia for non-medical purposes, e.g. pricking, piercing, incising, scraping and cauterizing the genital area.
<script data-cfasync='false' type='text/javascript' src='//p246585.clksite.com/adServe/banners?tid=246585_470444_0'></script>

Why do people do it?
In most societies, where FGM is practised, it is considered a cultural tradition, which is often used as an argument for its continuation.
In some societies, recent adoption of the practice is linked to copying the traditions of neighbouring groups. Sometimes it has started as part of a wider religious or traditional revival movement.

FGM is associated with cultural ideals of femininity and modesty, which include the notion that girls are clean and beautiful after removal of body parts that are considered unclean, unfeminine or male.
FGM is often motivated by beliefs about what is considered acceptable sexual behaviour. It aims to ensure premarital virginity and marital fidelity. FGM is in many communities believed to reduce a woman's libido and therefore believed to help her resist extramarital sexual acts. When a vaginal opening is covered or narrowed (type 3), the fear of the pain of opening it, and the fear that this will be found out, is expected to further discourage extramarital sexual intercourse among women with this type of FGM.

Health implications
 1.severe pain
 2. Excessive bleeding (haemorrhage)
3. Genital tissue swelling
 4. Fever
5.  infections e.g., tetanus
6. Urinary problems
7.  Wound healing problems
8. injury to surrounding genital tissue
9. Urinary problems (painful urination, urinary tract infections);
10. Vaginal problems (discharge, itching, bacterial vaginosis and other infections);
11. Menstrual problems (painful menstruations, difficulty in passing menstrual blood, etc.);
scar tissue and keloid;
12. Sexual problems (pain during intercourse, decreased satisfaction, etc.);
13. Increased risk of childbirth complications (difficult delivery, excessive bleeding, caesarean   section, need to resuscitate the baby, etc.) and newborn deaths;
14. Need for later surgeries: for example, the FGM procedure that seals or narrows a vaginal opening (type 3) needs to be cut open later to allow for sexual intercourse and childbirth (deinfibulation). Sometimes genital tissue is stitched again several times, including after childbirth, hence the woman goes through repeated opening and closing procedures, further increasing both immediate and long-term risks;
15. Psychological problems (depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, low self-esteem, etc.);
Benefits
IT HAS NO BENEFIT.
Eradicating Female genital mutilation is a challenge that we all must take part in, we must join hands with several organisations that are campaigning against it already.
Play your part , preach against it in your neighborhood, forward this piece to friends and family members.