Source: WHO
When we talk about the issues faced by women in India there's a huge list.
One of the issues is Female Genital Mutilation. It is a procedure performed on a woman or girl to alter or injure her genitalia for non-medical reasons. It most often involves the partial or total removal of her external genitalia. FGM is a violation of girls' and women’s fundamental human rights.
If we look at the history of FGM it 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 practised 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 while others believe FGM began with the arrival of Islam in some parts of sub-Saharan Africa.
Four Types Of FGM
Type 1- Clitoridectomy, the total removal of the clitoris.Type 2- Excision, Partial or total removal of the clitoris and the inner labia.
Type 3- Infibulation, narrowing of the vaginal opening by creating a covering seal.
Type 4- Other processes like piercing, scraping, incising etc.
What is the Idea Behind FGM?
What is it that forces us as a society to cross such limits?
It is the entrenched social norm rooted in gender inequality where violence against girls and women is socially acceptable.
It's a way to suppress a woman's sexuality, it is seen as a practice which has to be performed as a girl enters into womanhood.
Religious beliefs are also associated with the same.
At present, India has no law banning the practice of FGM in the country.
In 2017, Sahiyo, a non-governmental organisation working towards eradicating FGM released a report highlighting the prevalence of the practice in India. FGM also known as ‘Khatna or Khafd,’ is mainly practised by the Dawoodi Bohra community, a sub-sect of Shia Muslims in India.
This is not just a woman's rights issue but a child rights issue as well.
The Government called for the Dawoodi Bohra community to end the practice voluntarily or face it being criminalised, the government later reversed its stance and stated that there was no official data on the existence of FGM in India. Leaders of the community themselves condemned the practice.
However, Daim al-Islam, a religious text stated that the community does endorse the practice.
All this is done to 'moderate’ female sexual experiences or desires.
FGM can lead to immediate health risks, as well as a variety of long-term complications affecting women’s physical, mental and sexual health and well-being throughout the life course.
The WHO is opposed to all forms of FGM and strongly urges healthcare providers to not carry out FGM even when their patient or their patient’s family requests it.
This practice is condemned on a global level but the fact that it still exists and women are subjected to such humility is something to ponder upon.
We should of course focus on the bigger picture but what about the various communities at isolated places where this practice is still relevant?
There are women & girls who do not know that they should not agree to such deep-rooted but problematic beliefs, the awareness should reach to them.
An Urgent Need For Intervention
Female Genital Mutilation is a global concern and a major human rights violation of girls and women worldwide. Due to COVID-19, UNICEF estimated that two million cases of FGM/C may occur over the next decade.
It has no medical benefits, but can cause severe health issues, and can lead to physical, psychological and emotional harm. This has been done in many parts of the world.
FGM/C, also known as ‘Khatna or Khafd,’ is mainly usually practised by the Dawoodi Bohra community, a sub-sect of Shia Muslims in India. And, till now India has no law banning the practice of FGM/C in the country. There was no official data on the cases of FGM/C in India.
In 2007, UNFPA and UNICEF initiated the Joint Programme on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting to accelerate the abandonment of the practice. In 2010, WHO published the "Global strategy to stop health care providers from performing female genital mutilation" in collaboration with other key UN agencies. WHO supports countries to implement this strategy.
Source: The Guardian
WHO Efforts To Eliminate FGM And Medicalization Focus On
Strengthening the Health Sector:
By developing and implementing guidelines, training and policy to ensure that healthcare providers can provide medical care and counselling to girls and women living with FGM and communicate for prevention of the practice.
Building Evidence:
By generating knowledge about the causes, consequences and costs of the practice, including why healthcare providers carry out the practice, how to abandon the practice, and how to care for those who have been victims of FGM.
Increasing Advocacy:
By developing publications and advocacy tools for international and local efforts to end FGM, including tools for policymakers and advocates to estimate the health burden of FGM.
There is still a lot that has to be done.
Written by: Prabhveet Kaur
Edited by: Nidhi Jha
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