Few days ago I saw news about Female Circumcision (FC). It was shocking to know that it was happening in United States, and has been for quite some time. News was about infant girl whose parent refused to have her circumcised, but they were forced to by their custom and tradition. Parents were so worried they were willing to speak openly, and because they came out and spoke about it, they received help and were not victimized by their customs.
I had a chance to talk to two friends (Yasmeen, and Leila both from Africa), Yasmeen told me the Female circumcision is very common in some part of Africa and parents who refuse to have their daughter circumcised people refuse to associate with them and no one will marry their daughter or into their family. She said she is so thankful to her parents because they choose not to have her circumcised. She was also shocked to find out that there are people in U.S. who still perform FC. Lelia joined our conversation and told us that not only its tradition but people also perform FC in the name of religion. Most people are vulnerable when it comes to religion and, they think they have to follow this practice to be true followers of their religion.
Sad part is most people are aware of its medical consequences but still are abide by their customs and religion. Some common health effects are urinary infection, reproductive infection and infertility. FC is practiced throughout the world, mostly in Asia and Africa. There are several different organization working against it such as WHO (World Health organization). They have been very successful and are still working against it. I hope that people who are practicing FC realize its medical complication and all the pain associated with it and stop this violence against women.
I agree more should be done to prevent Female Genital Mutilation world wide. Knowing FGM is occurring in the United States as well as Asia and Africa is cause for alarm. Female Genital Mutilation is an act of violence against women and female children. The realization that women and girls are being "cut" in order to gain husbands and acceptance into certain societies is bewildering. Undergoing such a traumatic procedure, with the understanding that hemorrhaging, infection and possible death may result should be enough to end FGM completely. Because the governing authorities in such societies are males and accept FGM, women and girls are often at a disadvantage because of their gender and status in certain societies and are unable to change the laws that govern them. It is a relief there are organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) that are available to discourage FGM. What represents a female must be preserved and protected.
ReplyDeleteB Dudley
HS 3133.50
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Susmani,
ReplyDeleteI remember last year in one of my health studies courses I learned of FC. I was in shock. I could not believe what I was seeing and reading. I had no idea this was happening in places, such as, Africa. I read your post and I am curious to see this is happening in the United States? Wow. You make a good point on people being vulnerable when something is done in the name of religion or "God's Will" per say. It is hard to argue or try and educate someone when religion is a source of what is being done. FC is violence against women and should be abolished. These women's bodies are being mutilated. It stems some psychological concerns on the damage it not only does to their bodies but their minds as well. Thank you for sharing. Great topic and health concern!
Jossie
Thank you for this blog posting. This is definitely not an issue I know anything about but now am interested in looking into. It really disturbs me when religion is used as a way to justify such awful acts. While it may be tradition, custom, or something beautiful to that culture the fact remains that FC puts those women at risk for a variety of health issues at some point in their life. It saddens me to know that knowledge like that is thrown by the wayside, in turn, sacrificing a woman's body, in the name of something greater. Personally, I am not convinced that FC should be a religious matter...but then again, now that I have said that, I am thinking what my opinion is on male circumcision?? I am leaning towards agreeing with it though. Thank you for the thoughts!
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