Female genital mutilation (FGM) is recognized internationally as a violation of

the human rights of girls and women. February 6th is International Day of Zero T
olerance for Female Genital Mutilation. Ending FGM by 2030 is one of the UN Glob
al Goals.
It is what my grandmother called the three feminine sorrows.
She said the day of circumcision, the wedding night and the births of a baby are
the triple feminine sorrows.
Feminine Pains (poem, 1998)
-Dahabo Ali Muse, Somali.
Because a woman is cut open on all these three occasions. We are here talking ab
out female circumcision, variously known as female genital mutilation (Rose Odlf
ield Hayes), khaf? (Arabic), asbolokoli (Mali) and so on. The terminology underw
ent changes with time. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is defined by the WHO as a
ll procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genit
alia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons .

While the exact number is not known a whopping 100 million to 140 million women
and girls living today are believed to have been subjected to FGM. This is a pra
ctice of diaspora communities round the world though it is concentrated in 29 Af
rican countries, certain ethnic groups in Asia (India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Paki
stan and Sri Lanka), the Middle East (Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Ira
q, Palestine and Israel), South America (Columbia, Ecuador and Peru).
Girls may be subjected to FGM when they are a few days old, or during childhood,
at the time of puberty, before wedding, during first pregnancy or after the bir
th of first child. The usual range is between 0 and 15 years. Yes, subjected to
this practice at that tender an age, and that, too, in a gruesome manner, with t
heir bodies held down by others.
Traditionally the procedure is carried out by older women in the family who may
not have any medical training. Sometimes, (male) barbers, members of secret soci
eties, herbalists or a female relative performs it. Although illegal in many cou
ntries, it is sometimes performed by medical professionals these days, too. They
use special knives, scissors, scalpels, pieces of glass, razor blades, even fin
gernails all non-sterile cutting devices and generally no antiseptic or anesthet
ics are used. In case of infibulations, the legs of the girl are bound together
to immobilize them for 10-14 days, so that the scar tissue is formed.
This brings us to the different types of mutilation four main types as identifie
d by the World health Organization:
Clitoridectomy removing part of, or the entire clitoris.
Excision removing part or all of the clitoris and the inner labia (lips that sur
round the vagina), with or without removal of the labia majora (larger outer lip
s).
Infibulation narrowing of the vaginal opening by creating a seal, formed by cutt
ing and repositioning the labia. Only a narrow opening is left for passage of ur
ine and menstrual blood.
All other harmful procedures to the female genitalia for non-medical purposes, f
or example: pricking, piercing, incising, scraping or cauterization.
For sexual intercourse and child birth, the reverse process is undertaken by sur
gically widening the opening.
Needless to say, such a procedure can cause various short-term and long-term rep
ercussions, all of which are harmful and there is no benefit. I screamed so hard
I lost my voice for days , says a FGM victim. Immediate effects include severe pai
n, shock, bleeding, wound infections (like tetanus and gangrene), inability to u
rinate damage to vulval tissues and nearby organs. It has also been known to cau
se death. In the long run this practice can leave the girl with chronic vaginal
infections, abnormal periods, urine infections, possible kidney failure, damage
to reproductive system, infertility, cysts, scar tissue, complications in pregna
ncy, neonatal mortality, pain during sex, psychological damage and the need to o
pen the vagina through surgery for sexual intercourse and child birth. In additi
on, the girl is exposed to increased risk of HIV transfer since the same instrum
ents may be used on multiple girls.
If this is the case, then what is the reason behind so many communities practici
ng female genital mutilation? In fact, many communities have celebrations markin
g this event in a girl s life. It is perceived as a control over women s sexuality.
To preserve the female honour by ensuring that they are virgins at the time of m
arriage, infibulation is undertaken since it is assumed to reduce a woman s libido
and hence chances of pre-marital sex. Clitoris and labia are considered to be ma
le parts and their removal is thought to enhance the femininity, docility and obe
dience of a girl, thus making her suitable for her future gendered role. Thus, c
ircumcision is regarded as a sort of passage rite into womanhood and an essentia
l part of cultural identity of certain communities. It is also believed that fem
ale genitalia are unhygienic and girls are not allowed to touch food or water ti
ll they are removed. Where this is practiced by Muslims, religion is frequently
cited as a reason, although FGM predates Islam and is not practiced by the major
ity of Muslims. Moreover, FGM also occurs among Christians, Jews and animists. I
n fact, no religion promotes or condones FGM and a number of religious authoriti
es deny that their religion allows it.
It is here that human right groups like the UN intervene to endeavour to bring a
n end to this torturous practice. FGM is recognized internationally as a violati
on of the human rights of girls and women, reflecting deep-rooted gender inequal
ity and violating a person s right to health, security and physical integrity, the
right to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and th
e right to life when the procedure results in death. Organizations that make eff
orts to contain this practice pool in the help of local community leaders to edu
cate the community members about lack of religious sanction and the ill-effects
caused by this inhumane practice. They opine that cultural practices evolve over
time.
The response has been encouraging. In most countries, the prevalence of FGM has
decreased, and an increasing number of women and men in practising communities s
upport ending its practice. The UN population fund and Unicef, the UN children s f
und, say 8,000 communities in Africa have agreed to abandon the traditional prac
tice. Around 22 South African countries have banned FGM, the latest one being Ni
geria. It is illegal in majority of Western countries.
If we come to India, FGM is an open secret, meaning to say that it is not outlaw
ed. Many of us are unaware of this practice existing in India. Bohra women a sma
ll Muslim community in India have started a campaign demanding an end to the rit
ual. The Dawoodi Bohra community, which is a sub sect of Muslims, follows this p
rocedure. However, Tasleem started a change.org campaign in December 2011 agains
t FGM among the Dawoodi Bohra in India. Anyone who is against FGM can show his o
r her support for this campaign against FGM by visiting the Facebook link given
below and make a small contribution for a cause which causes trials and tribulat
ions for millions of women round the globe:
https://www.facebook.com/StopFgmMiddleEast?fref=nf