FGM: THE GIRL CHILD'S WORST NIGHTMARE

By TIMILEHIN OMOLEYE

Female genital mutilation also referred to as FGM is a very painful and destructive operation during which the female genitals are partly or entirely removed or injured with the goals of inhibiting a woman’s sexual feelings.

In Nigeria this practice is done in adherence to a cultural belief that the uncircumcised woman Is promiscuous, unclean, unmarriageable, physically undesirable and of potential risk to themselves and to their children as there is a traditional belief that if a male child’s head touches the clitoris he will die.

There are four types of FGM but three of it is practiced mainly in Nigeria:

Type 1: Complete removal of the clitoris

Type 2:  Removal of the clitoris together with the labia minora.

Type 3: removal of the external genitalia( Clitoris, Labia minora, and the labia majora) then stitching of the vaginal opening leaving a very small opening about the size of a matchstick, to allow just the flow of urine and menstrual blood, this procedure leaves a permanent scar. 

This barbaric act has immediate consequences which includes severe pain , bleeding and difficulty in passing out urine , infections when the objects used are not properly sanitized, also injury to nearby genital tissues. This event is a gory sight to behold and it is traumatic to the girls as they are held down throughout the procedure and the pain does not stop with the initial procedure it continues as ongoing torture throughout a woman’s life .

The affected women experience  long term physical, sexual and even  psychological effects as sex can never be interesting to them, they end up having trust issues and they lead such depressed lives. Also, childbirth which is meant to be  a beautiful event further increases the torture as there is need to tear the vaginal opening of the woman for the baby to come out easily, this is wicked and unfair to the girl child.

What then can be done to stop this practice ?

 Create Awareness:  The psychological and health implications of this practice can be taught in small groups in rural areas , there are films that have been used in creating the awareness against FGM and this can be shown to the uneducated and uninformed members of the society who see it as a means of adhering to their cultural beliefs and traditions. Women should also speak out when their children stand risk of being circumcised they can report to anti FGM organizations.

Be involved in the war against FGM by joining anti-FGM NGO’s, the WHO, UNDP of great Britain, National Association of Nigeria Nurses And Midwives are actively involved in putting am end to this barbaric and inhumane act.

Nigerian men and women also have to be taught that uncircumcised women are marriageable, will not be promiscuous and are not going to be bad mothers.

There’s a lot top be said on this issue lets help fight against FGM  and speak up for the innocent girl child.