Question of the Week

Question

Question :

Posted On : 11 Jan 2011

femal circuncison : indication and contraindication
legal aspects and WHO RECOMMENDATIONS
SITUATION IN ISLAMIC COUNTRIES AND WHAT THE CURRENT CONCEPT

Expert Answer :

Answer Discussion :

No answer discussion available.

Answer 1

As per WHO: Female genital mutilation {FGM} comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. The practice is mostly carried out by traditional circumcisers, who often play other central roles in communities, such as attending childbirths. Increasingly, however, FGM is being performed by medically trained personnel. FGM is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women. It reflects deep-rooted inequality between the sexes, and constitutes an extreme form of discrimination against women. It is nearly always carried out on minors and is a violation of the rights of children. The practice also violates a person`s rights to health, security and physical integrity, the right to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and the right to life when the procedure results in death. Female genital mutilation is classified into four major types:

1.Clitoridectomy: partial or total removal of the clitoris {a small, sensitive and erectile part of the female genitals} and, rarely, the prepuce {the fold of skin surrounding the clitoris} as well.
2.Excision: partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, with or without excision of the labia majora {the labia are the lips that surround the vagina}.
3.Infibulation: narrowing of the vaginal opening through the creation of a covering seal. The seal is formed by cutting and repositioning the inner, and sometimes outer, labia, with or without removal of the clitoris.
4.Other: all other harmful procedures to the female genitalia for non-medical purposes, e.g. pricking, piercing, incising, scraping and cauterizing the genital area.

Immediate complications can include severe pain, shock, haemorrhage {bleeding}, tetanus or sepsis {bacterial infection}, urine retention, open sores in the genital region and injury to nearby genital tissue.

Long-term consequences can include:

•recurrent bladder and urinary tract infections`
•cysts`
•infertility`
•the need for later surgeries. For example, the FGM procedure that seals or narrows a vaginal opening {type 3 above} is surgically changed to allow for sexual intercourse and childbirth, and sometimes stitched close again afterwards`
•an increased risk of childbirth complications and newborn deaths.

Clitorectomy is done medically only for clitoris cancer or surgery for ambiguous genitalia.

Question of the Week

Home

Partner Sites