Female Genital Mutilation

-


HISTORY

The history of FGM is not well known but the practice dated back at least 2000 years. It is not known when or where the tradition of Female Genital Mutilation originated from. It was believed that it was practiced in ancient Egypt as a sign of distinction amongst the aristocracy. Some believe it started during the slave trade when black slave women entered ancient Arab societies. Some believe FGM began with the arrival of Islam in some parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Some believe the practice developed independently among certain ethnic groups in sub-Saharan Africa as part of puberty rites. Overall, in the history, it was believed that FGM would ensure women’s virginity and reduction in the female desire.

FGM is the collective term for a range of procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for cultural or other non-therapeutic reasons, there are various forms.

TYPES OF FGM
Type 1: Excision of the prepuce, with or without excision of part or the entire clitoris.

Type 2: Excision of the clitoris with partial or total excision of the labia minora.

Type 3: Excision of part or all the external genitalia and stitching/narrowing of the vaginal opening (also known as infibulation). This type is most common in Somalia and Sudan.

Type 4: Unclassified - includes pricking or incising of the clitoris or labia, cauterization by burning of the clitoris or introduction of corrosive substances or herbs into the vagina. Sometimes the clitoris is buried rather than excised. (WHO 1998)

S/N
PHYSCIAL
PSYCHOLOGICAL
IMMEDIATE
INTERMEDIATE
LONG TERM
1.
Fractures of the limbs from being forcibly restrained.
Acute trauma.
Hemorrhage.
Delayed wound healing.
Chronic vaginal and pelvic infections which can lead to infertility.
2.
Failure to heal.
Low self-esteem.
Pain.
Scarring/Keloid formation.
Difficulty passing urine due to the scar/ Urine tract infections.
3.
Wound ulcer.
Denial of sexuality and emphasis on reproductive.
Shock.
Pelvic Infection.
Painful and prolonged periods due to vaginal closure by the scar.
4.
Wound abscess.
Genital phobia.
Infection.
Epidermoid cysts/Abscess.
Stillbirth
5.
Urine infection.
Anxiety-depression.
Damage to other organs due to child struggling.
Infection including tetanus and other blood borne viruses.

6.
HIV/AIDS.
Acute trauma.
Urinary Retention.
Neuromata.

7.
Scar neuroma.
Low self-esteem.
Death.




There remain considerable difficulties in investigating the relationships between FGM practices and experiences and subsequent psychological well-being. Despite that, small studies, qualitative analyses, personal accounts and clinical observations suggest that, FGM under several circumstances could have enduring traumatic effects and/or lead to sexual difficulties, which could reverberate on relationships and overall quality of life. Furthermore, a number of studies have demonstrated that with sensitivity and awareness, collaborative psychosocial studies with individuals, communities and health professionals are possible. This work has the potential to further our understanding about FGM issues in the UK context, thereby enhancing the quality of community and statutory services.

Content of this section represents an integration of Lih-Mei Liao’s clinical experience at the African Women’s Clinic at University College London Hospitals and her discussion papers:

● Liao LM. ‘Female Genital Mutilation: Psychological Implications’. Papers presented at Development Support
Agency Regional Conferences on Female Genital Mutilation & Mental Health, County Hall, London,
21 November 2005, and St James’ Hospital, Leeds, 10 February 2006.
● Liao LM. ‘Health Psychology’. In: N Patel, L Bennett, M Dennis, N Dosanjh, A Mahtani, A Miller & Z Nadishaw (Eds.) Clinical Psychology, ‘Race’ and Culture: A Training Manual. Leicester: British Psychological Society Books (2000), pp160-167.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

CHALLENGES IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM IN NIGERIA

-
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” The importance of education to a nation cannot be over emphasized, in most parts of the world education is regarded as a fundamental human right. Education is one of the basic criteria to measure the growth and development of any nation. Sadly, the level, quality and standard of education in Nigeria has witnessed a geometric drop in the past two decades and this unfortunate trend has made Nigeria the leading country of origin of students from Africa migrating to other parts of the world in search of quality education. This fall in standard has been attributed to several factors which will be duly highlighted in this article. Out of the numerous problems facing education in Nigeria, the following are the major challenges: 1. POOR FUNDING Education in Nigeria is overseen by the Ministry of Education. Local authorities take responsibility for implementing policy for state-controlled public education and state schools at ...
Read more

Menace of early marriage in Africa continues

-
“I’ve never experienced happiness in my marriage. I’ve never seen the benefit of being married,” Antina told me when I interviewed her in a small village in rural Malawi. Antina was just 12-years-old when she married a 17-year-old boy to escape poverty at home. Like many girls I have interviewed in South Sudan, Tanzania, and Malawi about their marriages, she was hoping for a life of love and prosperity, but instead endured poverty and violence at the hands of her husband. In sub-Saharan Africa, about one in four girls marry before age 18. Statistics show that African nations account for 17 of the 20 countries with the highest rates of child marriage globally. For example, according to new UNICEF data, 76 percent of girls in Niger and close to 70 percent of girls in Central African Republic and Chad marry before they turn 18. In Malawi, one in every two girls marry before age 18. It’s encouraging that African leaders have put child marriage high on their agenda. This week, at the...
Read more