Female Genital Mutilation is Sexual Abuse Essay - 651 Words

Female circumcision, also known as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), is a very dangerous surgery. It is done to girls of any age, from a few days old to right before their wedding. The most common age is three. In most countries where FGM is practiced the clitoris is considered dangerous to the man. At one point they thought that if a penis touched a clitoris, it would shrivel up and fall off. Girls in Africa and parts of Asia are genitally mutilated for family honor, cleanliness, protection against spells, insurance of virginity and faithfulness to the husband, or to terrorize women out of sex. In the late 70’s and early 80’s parts of Europe and the United States used circumcision as a way to â€Å"cure† over-sexed or neurotic†¦show more content†¦The third type, Infibulation, is the most severe and harmful type. In infibulation, the entire clitoris and both labia are removed. Then the remaining tissue of the vulva are pinned together by catgut or silk sutures. A tiny slit, for urination and menstruation, is left open by inserting a sliver of wood, a matchstick, or reed into the vagina. After the surgery, the girl is bound from hip to ankle and kept immobile for 40 days. This allows scar tissue to form. All three types result in many harmful effects. Most of the effects of FGM are caused by the surgery taking place in an unsanitary environment. Kitchen knives, scissors, razor blades, or pieces of glass are the most common instruments used for the cutting. Unless performed in a hospital, the cutting tool is generally rusty and very dirty. Instead of sterilizing the instrument between surgeries, it is placed on dirt, ashes, or cow dung. This results in many infections. Using the same tool on several girls also promotes the spread of HIV. Due to loss of blood and pain many girls suffer from shock. Many women suffer from pelvic complications. Also urinary retention and urinary tract infections are common among circumcised women. Due to loss of blood many of the girls suffer from week bones, often resulting in fractures and breaks. The loss of the clitoris makes it impossible for the woman to have an orgasm. If the person performing theShow MoreRelatedWarrior Marks Essay1044 Words   |  5 PagesAlice Walker, Warrior Marks: Female Genital Mutilation and the Sexual Blinding of Women. New York: Harcourt Brace, 1993, 373pp. Female genital mutilation, also known as female circumcision, is a practice that involves the removal of part or all of the female external genitalia. It occurs throughout the world, but most commonly in Africa where they say that it is a tradition and social custom to keep a young girl pure and a married woman faithful. 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