Female circumcision, yes you read it right, it does exist. Though illegal in many parts of the world, it is rampant. A practice that involves complete/ partial removal of the female genitalia for non- medical reasons is called female genital mutilation.
Girls should grow up as they were brought into this world; this idea is not supported by many people. They prefer to bring about man made changes by mutilating the girls bodies. It is often connected to Islam but never endorsed by Islam. Many non-Islamic groups practice FGM. No religion encourages it as such.
When the FGM process is done under a medical surveillance it can convey a wrong message to people that it is an okay procedure to be done. People tend to take clue from such episodes for future actions. Usually the FGM is done by a particular member of a community. These people use unhygienic equipment without any proper medical care and usually end up with infections and other hygiene related issues.
The most recent is the case of a 12 year old girl bleeding to death because of improper care during her FGM by a so called 70 year of unqualified doctor. The girl was taken to this lady out of their own will and knew what was to happen to their little girl through the procedure. What they were unaware of was the fatal end the procedure brought about. Even in 2020 people are so backward and unaware of consequences. UNICEF reports more than 85% of females aged 15 to 49 have undergone FGM in Egypt alone.
Many countries have passed laws to ban FGM but still it exists. A multitude of policies have developed to abandon this gruesome practice but still the practice has not left them and their lands.
What you could do as an individual?
- Create awareness of the consequences
- Promote the need of hygiene
- Talk to group heads to stop atrocities to women
- Be a part of campaigns
- Help in promoting the law
FGM is as gross as it sounds. The pain and agony associated with this gruesome act under the false blanket of religion and culture is immense. It traumatizes the person experiencing it and leaves a scar for a lifetime. Not just an emotional scar, it vandalizes the physical life of the affected individual. With so many platforms in aid of us, it is easy to reach people and create awareness among the uneducated. Social media platforms like WhatsApp/ Facebook/ twitter etc. are very effective tools in promoting awareness programs.
