Moving Towards Ending Female Genital Mutilation

Usually, we see circumcision only for men, most people do not know that in a particular religion, circumcision is followed in women also. Although this is not a very prevalent practice in our country, due to this practice, a large number of women have to face physical and mental problems in many parts of the world. International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is observed every year worldwide on 6 February in protest against this practice.

Every year on 6th February, the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is observed to educate and raise awareness about the harms of FGM and to end it in every possible way. 'Together, we can eliminate female genital Mutilation by 2030. Doing so will have a positive ripple effect on the health, education, and economic advancement of girls and women”, said the UN Secretary-General António Guterres. On this day, people from all around the world come together to put an end to the practice of harassing women in the name of religion and traditions.

FGM, as the United Nations Organization (UN), refers to all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons and is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights, the health, and the integrity of girls and women. Girls who undergo female genital mutilation face short-term complications such as severe pain, shock, excessive bleeding, infections, and difficulty in passing urine, as well as long-term consequences for their sexual and reproductive health and mental health.

History And States Of International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation

In 1997, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a statement jointly with UNICEF and UNFPA opposing the practice and since then, many efforts on the international level are being made every year. In 2007, a joint program was launched by UNFPA and UNICEF to protest against this practice. Following which the 2012 United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution and designated February 6 as the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.

This year too, UNFPA and UNICEF have come together with an aim to end FGM and the Inter-African Committee on Traditional Practices (IAC) has jointly launched the 2021 theme: "No Time for Global Inaction, Unite, Fund, and Act to End Female Genital Mutilation." Every year on this occasion, various programs are organized by the UNFPA under a campaign called "A Peace of Me" to eradicate female genital mutilation.

According to the WHO, every year at least $1.4 billion is spent on the treatment of women and young girls facing the side effects of FGM. According to an estimate, more than 200 million women and girls face FGM every year for cultural and non-medical reasons. Un says that in 2021 alone, there are 4.16 million girls around the world, who are at risk of undergoing female genital Mutilation. According to UNICEF, about one-fourth of the victims of it, i.e. about 5.2 crore women and girls, do not get health care due to various reasons. Also, the UN states that although primarily concentrated in 30 countries in Africa and the Middle East, female genital Mutilation is a universal problem and is also practiced in some countries in Asia and Latin America. Female genital mutilation continues to persist amongst immigrant populations living in Western Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand.

What Is It And How Does It Harm?

In this process, a part of the woman's vulva called the clitoris is removed using a blade or the vulva is sewn or the entire part is removed completely. The whole process is extremely painful and the woman or girl is fully conscious during the process. There is no use of anesthesia at all. This process is mostly done between birth to 15 years of age.

Post genital mutilation, a female usually faces lumps in the ovaries, painful urination, infections, problems during menstruation, swelling of the vulva, pain, and itching, as well as discomfort during physical relationships. According to WHO, genital Mutilation causes two types of side effects for women, immediate and long-term. Many women being circumcised with the same razor are at risk of problems of infertility and HIV AIDS in addition to vaginal infection. Many times the baby also dies due to excessive bleeding. The inability to bear pain and shock can also lead females to coma. This process heavily affects not only physical but mental health too. Therefore, she can also become a victim of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, etc.

Law Against FGM

According to a WHO scientist Dr. Christina Pelito, many laws have been made around the world to end this practice. In 1997, 26 countries in Africa and the Middle East banned the practice legally, but it is still practiced openly in 33 countries. What is more worrisome is that according to UNICEF, its cases have increased drastically in the last two decades and have almost doubled. In India too, genital Mutilation is practiced among women belonging to a particular community against which not only women but many social organizations are campaigning to pass laws.

COVID-19 and FGM

In the year 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic not only negatively affected the health of women and girls across the globe, but there was also a significant increase in the cases of FGM. WHO also states that the cases increased while several countries were under lockdown. Special arrangements have been made by WHO and HRP regarding the safety of the girl child in the present and future around the world, especially in countries where this practice is more adhered to. Along with spreading awareness in these countries, special training is also being given to nurses and midwives. Efforts are being made for the betterment of the health of the girls who suffered due to FGM during the COVID-19 pandemic.