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  • Essay / Implications of female genital mutilation in development...

    According to the WHO, female genital mutilation (also called female genital circumcision) includes all procedures that involve the partial or total removal of the external genitalia of the woman, or other injuries to the female genitals. female genitalia for non-medical reasons (World Health Organization [WHO], 2011, para. 2). The practice is primarily carried out by traditional circumcisers, who often play other central roles in communities, such as attending childbirths. FGM is generally practiced on minors, from a few days until puberty, and constitutes a violation of children's rights. This practice also violates a person's rights to health, security and physical integrity, the right not to be subjected to torture or any cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, as well as the right to life when the procedure results in death (World Health Organization [WHO], 2011). , paragraph 3). Many problems are associated with female genital mutilation. FGM damages normal, healthy female genital tissue and interferes with the natural functions of girls' and women's bodies. FGM also includes complications ranging from immediate severe pain, shock, excessive bleeding, bacterial infection (due to unsterilized tools used to carry out the process e.g. dull razor blades) . In the long term, FGM leads to infertility and an increased risk of birth complications and newborn deaths. More importantly, the removal of the female external genitalia greatly affects a woman's sexuality. Sexuality varies across cultures and regions of the world and has continually changed throughout history, and this also applies to female sexuality. Female sexuality encompasses a wide range of behaviors and processes, including female gender identity and sexual behavior, both physical and psychological...... middle of article...... ique le issue. In summary, future research could focus on sexual experience by comparing circumcised and uncircumcised women. Indeed, uncircumcised women could probably constitute a special group; Furthermore, researchers should ensure that they do not differ from circumcised women on key factors such as age, education, marital status, or socioeconomic status. Works Cited Chalmers, B. and Hashi, KO (2000). 432 Somali women's childbirth experiences in Canada and previous female genital mutilation. Birth: Issues in Perinatal Care, 27(4), 227-234.Nwajei, SD and Otiono, AI (2003). Female genital mutilation: implications for female sexuality. International Women's Studies Forum, 26(6), 575-580. World Health Organization. (2011). Female genital mutilation. Accessed November 24, 2011 from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs241/en/