Have you ever heard about female being circumcise? Me neither until I encounter this facts. This is shocking facts that caught up my interest.
Is it like male circumcision like cutting excessive skin in the male reproductive system?
Let us tackle it in this blog.
Female circumcision or Female genital mutilation in Nigeria west of Africa.
Female genital mutilation comprises all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.-According to World Health Organization (AFRICA)
This is very painful indeed! Cutting the very sensitive part of female genitalia that can cause this effects immediately ; severe pain, serious bleeding/ hemorrhage, infection on the wound/ Vaginal Infection, Trauma, problem urinating/urinary track infection, tetanus and other infectious diseases, such as HIV, from unsterillized cutting tools, and death.
This is indeed inhumane practice, to prove that according to World Health Organization (AFRICA)
Female genital mutilation of any type has been recognized as a harmful practise and is a VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS. It has no health benefits and harms girls and women in many ways.- WHO- Africa
This tradition have four (4) types. the first type is called CLITORIDECTOMY or the Excision of the prepuce and the clitoris (the partial removal of the prepuce and the clitoris), the second type is the EXCISION the total removal of the prepuce, clitoris, and the labia minora, and the third type is the most serious and painful one is called, INFIBULATION or the removal of part of all of the external genetalia and STITCHING together or narrowing of the vaginal opening, leaving a small hole for urine and menstrual flow and it is only cut again or open again in the time of sexual intercourse to allow pregnancy and it called DEINFIBULATION and lastly is called UNCLASIFFIED or the stretching of the labia minora, pricking, piercing, incising the clitories and labia, stretching the clitoris and or/ labia, burning the clitoris/ its surrounding tissues, scraping of tissues surrounding the vagina using thumb or hot water to press or numb the clitoris (massage). To prove that here is the World Health Organization (Africa)---There are four classifications of female genital mutilation. Types I, II and III have been documented in 28 countries in Africa. Approximately 85% of women experience Types I and II.
How about the LONG-TERM effects? let's here the side of World Health Organization;
Long-term consequences can include chronic pain, infections, decreased sexual enjoyment, infertility and psychological consequences, such as post-traumatic stress disorder. It also significantly increases the risks of adverse childbirth complications such as low birth weight, still birth, caesarean section and post-partum haemorrhage. It is estimated that an additional 1 to 2 babies per 100 deliveries die as a result of female genital mutilation.--WHO (Africa)
Now, let's get deeper, have you ever wonder what is the side or the voice of the Nigerian people in this inhumane tradition?
Let's hear it from BAALE REPRESENTATIVE from OLAOLUWA COMMUNITY, OSUN STATE. I quote and unquote;
" We the natives and Immigrants of this community have decided henceforth, not to engage in Female Genital Mutilation/ Cutting."
They don't wan't to engage or continue this tradition, and it is done to control woman sexuality and reproduction but according to the natives if you ask them they are doing it because it is their culture and they want to preserve it.
Here is the religious side on Nigeria, according to Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Nshii- Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria (Ebony State) " No hear in the Bible that they did include women in circumcision, never happened."
" FGM/C is never part of religious demand so nothing of such of Islam or nothing of such that should be practice by the muslim."- Sheikh Salamhudeen Busari, Chief Imam, Pres, Gen, Center for Islamic Cultural Studies (Oyo State)
They claimed that there is also no religious backing in it aside from there is no health benefits.
So after this discussions, what do you think happened in the plead of the BAALE REPRESENTATIVE from OLAOLUWA COMMUNITY, OSUN STATE?
According to Maryam Enyiazu, Child Protection Specialist, UNICEF--"With constant dialogue with community members, health care providers, traditional and community leaders, people are now becoming aware, their thoughts are positive for the protection of the girl side is actually harmful and now they are beginning to have that rethink, we have communities that are now declared total abandonment of the practice, this is a remarkable achievement and the three (3) years if Implementing the Program at the moment but we are not there yet still work in progress."
So thanks God! So far they have programs that engaging in stopping this inhumane tradition, still, according to the data from WHO --Last 2017 data indicates 91.5 million girls and women are currently living with the consequences of female genital mutilation and an additional 3 million girls are at risk every year.
Thank you so much for reading my blog about Women Circumcision in Nigeria. Have a great day! God bless!
Diclaimer: The interview is from www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0-dYD9cYKo I only quote their answers for the benefit of the readers also this photo is also dowloaded for visual purposes.
