The Importance Of Female Genital Mutilation

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Traditional practices passed down through generations are common in Africa and certain parts of Asia. Often times known to possess cultural importance, some of these practices have affected the lives of the inhabitants in both positive and negative ways. One of such practices is female circumcision (FC), which has such negative effects that those who oppose it call it female genital mutilation (FGM). Though not everyone agrees that FGM is the most appropriate term that applies to this tradition, in modern times, audiences worldwide have begun to accept female genital mutilation as a more fitting expression to articulate such horrid violation of human rights. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is the collective name given to the several different traditional practices that involve the cutting of female genitals. The procedure is commonly performed on girls as a rite of passage of womanhood. It is generally performed by a traditional practitioner – often an older woman – who comes from a family in which generations of women have been traditionally practitioners, their heritage gives them the authority to proceed without a medical degree. FGM has been found to have significant cultural importance for people who uphold the practice which in local dialects is often times synonymous with purification or cleansing. Therefore, how people view FGM can be seen in the change in the rates of prevalence Although some indigenous tribes of Africa and cultures across Asia may believe that female genital mutilation (FGM) is an essential procedure that all women must undergo in order to have healthy growth and a social lifestyle, FGM is one of the most harmful practices conducted on young women because it deprives them of their rights to health, secu... ... middle of paper ... ...rls as young as 5 years undergo infibulation. With respect to the fact that these believes hold great significance in the hearts of such tribes and communities, FGM was and always will be violation of rights of women all over the world. In modern times where people fight for freedom and equality amongst all social classes of race, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality, political ideology, education level and ethnicity, the fact that such an act of discrimination even exists is truly unfortunate. The above examples have shown how horrific FGM and its effects on women and society really are. It is therefore the duty of governments, and the people of the affected nations to join forces and work together, stop discriminating their own mothers, sisters and daughters; create a society and community equal for every citizen and inhabitant, and end FGM once and for all.

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