The second paper, stephen bishops oppositional approaches to female genital mutilation fgm in african literature, argues that literature is an ideal vehicle for discussing a wide range of. Asaah is associate professor of modern languages at the university of ghana, where he pioneered research into african feminist literature and genderbased violence in african fiction. The notes will be updated occasionally, and will i hope serve as an introduction to most of the issues arising in the eradication of fgm, in both lowresource and more structured settings. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is a traditional practice with severe health consequences for girls and women. Apr 01, 2016 this briefing derives from my lecture 1 april 2016 on female genital mutilation, to postgraduate students at the liverpool school of tropical medicine. Oct 10, 2016 female genital mutilation cutting fgmc is a common harmful traditional practice in many communities in africa and to a lesser extent in middle east and other regions in the world.
Female genital mutilation fgm is defined by the world health organization who as all procedures that are involved in the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons, and is classified into four categories1. Female genital mutilation and its effects on women and young girls. Bibliometric analyses can be used as an indicator of the extent of interaction of researchers, health authorities. This study will describe female genital mutilation in kenya and alternative ways of encouraging abandonment of female genital mutilation in kenya. There is much scientific literature on the adverse physical health complications that can result from having fgmc, but little is known about its psychological impact and treatment. Shire, 25, is londons first young poet laureate and works with spoke. Female genital mutilation ma dissertation elizabeth. When katie finally returns from africa she needs all of sophias. Female genital mutilation fgm, also known as female circumcision, comprises of all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for nonmedical reasons. Even though some societies see female genital mutilation as virtuous for the victims, spouse and the family in addition to serving as a step for the fulfilment of traditional requirements, there. This pioneering collection discusses representations of female genital mutilation as a theme in literary art. The psychological impact of female genital mutilationcutting.
Female genital mutilation is a global issue and it effects approximately 100140 million women and girls worldwide who as cited in lavender, 2009, p. In order to better understand publishing on this topic, we conducted a bibliometric study on fgmc. African literatures african american literature genital. It may be carried out on cultural grounds, and is associated with immediate and longterm physical and psychological problems.
Clinicians continue to publish case reports of complications and the surgical management of type iii female genital mutilation during labor. Warsan shire recites her poem girls, written exclusively for the guardians campaign to end female genital mutilation fgm. The procedure is carried out at a variety of ages, ranging from shortly after birth to some time during the first pregnancy, but most commonly occurs between. The depiction of female circumcision in selected memoirs by female african writers and novels by female african american writers. Tobe levin is professor of english and womens studies at the university of maryland, university college europe. Female genital mutilation cutting fgmc is a traditional practice with severe health consequences for girls and women. A report on the prevalence of female circumcision and female genital mutilation. The world health organisation who estimates that between 100140 million girls and women have undergone female genital mutilation or cutting fgmc.
According to the world health organisation who, about a 100m women worldwide have undergone the procedure, which happens to 3m girls under 10 every year. It describes its history and its consequences for health, and presents data from 40 case studies around the world. Degree programme in social services female genital mutilation fgm is a term used to describe various traditional practices. Female genital mutilation fgm world health organization defined fgm as partial or total removal of external genitalia of the woman or injury to the genitals, on cultural evolution or other nontherapeutic reasons the united nations has estimated that an average of four girls a minute are damaged. This timely and provocative book addresses the controversial issue of female genital mutilation fgm and offers innovative and practical strategies for curbing. Fgmc is an ancient cultural practice prevalent in 26 countries in africa, the middle east and asia. An africa witness investigation has found that one such practice is female genital mutilation fgm, which. Some of these practices violate the dignity and human rights of women and children. With increased immigration, health professionals in high income countries including uk, europe, north america and australia care for women and girls.
The obstetric consequences of female genital mutilation. The practice is also encountered in europe and north america mostly in immigrant communities from countries where the. Who 1997 defines female genital mutilation as all procedures involving partial or total removal of the female external genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs, for non medical reasons. Health consequences of female genital mutilationcutting. The depiction of female circumcision in selected memoirs by. Contributors not content with silent acquiescence have shown the courage to oppose a harmful practice that. More than 200 million women and girls alive today have been victims of female genital mutilation fgm 1 in africa, the middle east, and asia. Female genital mutilation ma dissertation elizabeth bransfield. Bibliometric analysis of literature on female genital. In the novel, the deadly practice of fgm is a comingofage event where a girl finally becomes a woman and belongs to the people of the village. The practice is most common in areas of africa, the middle east, and parts of. Female genital mutilation fgm is a procedure performed on women in developing countries and is underreported. Pdf an overview of female genital mutilation in nigeria.
This briefing derives from my lecture 1 april 2016 on female genital mutilation, to postgraduate students at the liverpool school of tropical medicine. This is a book which will surely play a vital role in ending the global. In south africa, she was enrolled in an expensive school, but while in grade 11, she was rudely made to realise that she had not escaped the cruel practice. Fgm is often seen as a practice isolated to north african countries and some in the middle east, and it is this fact that in the past has seen some hesitancy about. Feb 11, 2011 to her this meant that she would be able to survive the brutal practice of female genital mutilation fgn which is commonly practiced in sudan. Various forms of female genital mutilation cutting fgmc have been performed for millennia and continue to be prevalent in parts of africa. Aug 11, 2006 female genital mutilation fgm is a traditional practice in some african countries. The effects of female genital mutilation on women of sierra leone. Female genital mutilation is a tradition and social custom to keep a young girl pure and a married woman faithful. Health consequences of female genital mutilationcutting in. Although the health consequences following fgmc have been broadly investigated, divergent study results have called into question whether fgmc is associated with obstetric consequences. The effects of female genital mutilation on women of.
It is proven to have no health benefits for girls and women and is most often performed in nonmedical settings, meaning it is an extremely painful and dangerous experience. The history of societys relationship and misapprehension of female sexuality is incredibly long and complex, and female genital mutilation forms an intrinsic component. The author will also describe female genital mutilation in kenya. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is the procedure of removing healthy external genitalia from girlswomen for sociocultural reasons. In seeking to help eliminate the practice, the work places it in a human rights and legal framework. According to the world health organisation who, about a 100m women worldwide have undergone the procedure, which happens to. The practice is found in africa, asia and the middle east, and within communities from countries in which fgm is common. The objective of this study is to perform a first evaluation of the magnitude of the health consequences of fgmc in the gambia. Essay on female genital mutilation 1839 words bartleby. The book also provides an insight into the actualities of the. Additionally, as people continue to try to eliminate female genital mutilation through.
Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is a common harmful traditional practice in many communities in africa and to a lesser extent in middle east and other regions in the world. This timely and provocative book addresses the controversial issue of female genital mutilation fgm and offers innovative and practical strategies for. Various forms of female genital mutilationcutting fgmc have been performed for millennia and continue to be prevalent in parts of africa. The health consequences of fgm include bacterial and viral infections, obstetrical complications, and psychological problems. Female genital mutilation is the collective term given to several different practices that involve the cutting of female genitals. Essay about female genital mutilation 1633 words bartleby. By hassan isilow for nearly 17 years, migrants from all over the world have been flocking to south africa, bringing with them their cultural practices. Female genital mutilation and social media 1st edition. Female genital mutilation fgm is a traditional practice in some african countries. The intense emotional responses of empathy and rage bracket a spectrum of feelings people confront when they consider the millions of women and girls who have undergone bolokoli, takhoundi, tukore ir gudni in names in local languages for a procedure that mutilates female genitalia. There are different types of fgmc procedures ranging from nicking or pricking the prepuce. Looking at female circumcision from a literary perspective and how writers are fighting the practice. Female genital mutilation in african and african american womens.
Against this background of activity and changing emphasis, the plight of fauziya kassindja, a 17yearold woman from togo, focused public attention in the united states on female circumcision. To clarify the present state of empirical research, we conducted a. Her book woman at point zero 1975 is a fictionalised version of. Female genital mutilation fgm also known as cutting or female circumcision is a procedure carried out on girls and young women which involves removing some or all of the external genitals. Female genital mutilation cutting fgmc is the procedure of removing healthy external genitalia from girlswomen for sociocultural reasons. Feb 14, 2014 warsan shire recites her poem girls, written exclusively for the guardians campaign to end female genital mutilation fgm. Fgm secretly happening in south africa africa witness. The issue of female genital mutilation, a practice encompassing a partial or complete removal of the clitoris, has been a tricky and contentious subject for. Female genital mutilation female genital mutilation fgm, also known as female circumcision, is a destructive and invasive procedure involving the removal or alteration of female genital. Notably, the drive to include language specifically condemning female genital mutilation in the platform was led by africans.
The world health organisation who estimates that 100140 million girls and women have undergone female genital mutilation or cutting fgmc. Female genital mutilation fgm is a term used to describe various traditional practices that involve the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for cultural and traditional reasons in many african societies. What you need to know about female genital mutilation. Oct 25, 2016 finabas or later known as fina by her adopted family life revolves around her interrupted fgm female genital mutilation initiation process in her village.
When kenyatta carried out his ethnographic study which culminated in the book, facing mount. May 11, 2017 the first federal prosecution of female genital mutilation has women in the us sharing own stories. Female genital mutilation and social media is a guide to the complex discourses circulating around fgm in both real and virtual worlds. The intense emotional responses of empathy and rage bracket a spectrum of feelings people confront when they consider the millions of women and girls who have undergone bolokoli, takhoundi, tukore ir gudniin names in local languages for a procedure that mutilates female genitalia. Female genital mutilation fgm is a harmful practice involving the removal or alteration of parts of the female genitalia for nontherapeutic reasons. Empathy and rage is a comprehensive and informative collection of essays from twelve contributors on literary representations of female genital mutilation fgm, or female circumcision, in african and diaspora literature, film and other media. Female genital mutilation in african literature 9780955507946. This is an important book about an important topic that some misguided cultural nationalists would rather keep wrapped under the silences and perversions of. The practice is also encountered in europe and north america mostly in immigrant communities from countries where the prevalence is high. Evidence on the impact of fgm legislation was available on prevalence of fgm. According to utzbilling and kentenich 2008 two million girls worldwide are involved in these practices p.
It occurs mainly in countries along a belt stretching from senegal in west africa to somalia in east africa and to yemen in the middle east, but it is also practised in some parts of southeast asia. In this study, we report fgm societal importance, ramifications, classifications, cultural significance. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is a harmful traditional practice with severe health complications, deeply rooted in many subsaharan african countries. Health, general womens issuesgender studies family and marriage female circumcision laws, regulations and rules. Finabas or later known as fina by her adopted family life revolves around her interrupted fgm female genital mutilation initiation process in her village. Female genital mutilation and female genital cutting. Please be aware that this story contains a detailed account of what fgm involves, which some readers may find distressing. The psychological impact of female genital mutilation. The practice of female genital mutilation, also known as female circumcision, occurs throughout the world, but it is most common in africa. The practice of female genital mutilation henceforth referred to as fgm is a deeprooted one, and one that has inspired furious debate, though relatively little action.
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