Exploring the Complexities of Female Genital Mutilation: A Critical Analysis

The provided content discusses Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and its impact on obstetric outcomes, as well as the social and cultural factors that contribute to its persistence. The content includes various studies and articles that explore the complexities of FGM, including its prevalence, effects on women's health, and the need for a human rights-based approach to address the issue. Additionally, the content highlights the importance of education, awareness-raising, and community engagement in preventing FGM and promoting gender equality.

ESSAY

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................3
Honour based violence-...............................................................................................................3
Concept and risk factors of female Genital mutilation-...................................................................4
-Causes of female Genital mutilation.........................................................................................4
CONLCUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Female genitalia mutilation is known as cutting or removal or some of the external
female genital organs without any medical reason.. It is an internationally recognized as violation
of the human right of girls and women which show deep rooted difference between the sexes.
This FGM is carried out on minors and it is violation of the right of children. There are different
type of female genital mutilation. There are different reason families and communities have for
performing such kind of practices. On the other hand Honour based violence is known as crime
and incident which may be committed for protecting and defending the community. Further it
can be defined as cultural justification for violation and abuse. Further this honour based
violence cuts across the culture, communities. In present report honour based violence is
explained. Along with this, Concept and risk factors of female Genital mutilation is discussed. In
addition to this,
Honour based violence-
Honour based violence is basically associated with cultures and communities from Asia,
Africa and middle east (Abdulcadir, Catania and Abdulcadir, 2016.). Further it is also known
domestic abuse issue and a crime. Honour is important for individual life and people in all
communities and societies. There are some common fact which lead to damage honour that is
dress, behavior, attitude and sexual relationship before marriage. There are some consequence of
damage honour. For instance exclusion by family and honour in which individual who find out
have dishounr themselves of its families ignored and other community member opposed that
individual. Further their children are also rejected from school and by their fellow member.
Mainly the honour based violence is carried out by family members in which they take step of
Female genitalia mutilation to control sexuality (Control over Female Sexuality. 2017).
Community and religious leader also involved in such type of practices. For instance, Honour
based violence can be committed against the following people.
 With those who are involved with a girlfriend or boyfriend of different culture or caste.
 Have adopted those Western dress which is different from their cultural.
 If any female want to escape from the forced or arranged marriage.
One of the most common victim of Honour based violence are women and girls. Further it can
affect both men and women (Berg, Odgaard-Jensen and Vist, 2016.). There are some crimes

which are committed in hounour are such as disfigurement, versions of sati, rape, Female
genitalia mutilation and forced marriage. There are some extreme cases in which people are
killed for there dishonorable. On the other side it can be state that honor based crime not
involved such factors that are as follow:
Written or verbal threats
psychological abuse
Abusive emails or calls.
Furthermore, victim is also casted out from their family and they get no support from
their family member (Toubia, Abouzeid and Sharief, 2016). As according to the culture it
teaches that victims that they cannot survive without their community and family. Apart from
this, basically people who are committed in Honour based violence are friends and family
member of same society.
CONCEPT AND RISK FACTORS OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION-
-Causes of female Genital mutilation
There are different reason family, community have for performing Female genitalia
mutilation. One of the major motivation factor for this type of practices is to make sure that girl
conforms to key social norms mainly those who are committed with sexual restraint,
respectability and femininity (Toubia, Abouzeid and Sharief, 2016). Generally people who are
responsible for such Female genitalia mutilation of girls are their family members. For some
family it is usually performed by traditional female exercises. Further Female genitalia
mutilation is practices in basically 27 countries such Africa , Asia and Middle east.
There are some consequence of female genital mutilation that are as follows
Health consequence: Female genitalia mutilation has no health benefit but it impacts health of
girls and women. It includes mainly damaging and removing of genital tissues which impact
natural function of girls and women bodies (Berg, Odgaard-Jensen and Vist, 2016). According
to the traditional method it includes different tools which is used for performing Female genitalia
mutilation, such as knives, razor blades. Further there are much health care professionals who
used surgical scissor for Female genitalia mutilation which lead to bleeding and pain and
generally line with risk.

Social consequence: There are some social impact of Female genitalia mutilation which
can be identified from the potential negative factors for families, girls and women (Muteshi,
Miller and Belizán, 2016). This Female genitalia mutilation practices generally take place in
order to response to strong social convention and this all are assisted by some key norms.
This Female genitalia mutilation practice is performed in order to reduce control sexuality.
 There are some risk factor for Female genitalia mutilation
 one of the common risk factor of Female genitalia mutilation is to forcing girl to
undergo with most common procedures are cultural, social and religious (Balfour,
Abdulcadir and Hindin, 2016). This mainly influence the following
 The perception of Female genitalia mutilation is important in order raise girl from
childhood in proper manner for preparing them from their childlessness to marriage.
 Pressure from social in order to confirm peers
This practice is carried out due to false assumption that is Female genitalia mutilation
help in reducing the sexual desire because this help in preserving permairtal virginity and
promiscuity (Berg, Odgaard-Jensen and Vist, 2016). Further, this association of Female genitalia
mutilation is linked with the ideas of cleanliness and it also includes belief such as if Female
genitalia mutilation left uncut then clitoris would grown excessively. Some of the women
believe that Female genitalia mutilation support in improving the male sexual pleasure and in
some case it help in facilitating childbirth which help in improving the ability of women for
tolerating the pain of childbirth through the pain of Female genitalia mutilation (Toubia,
Abouzeid and Sharief, 2016). Therefore it can be stated that Female genitalia mutilation is one
of the essential cultural factor which should not be stopped or become topic of argument.
Young age which is one of the risk factor for considerations of Female genitalia
mutilation, this procedures is carried out on girls who are at the age of between 3 to 15 years. It
can be stated from the study that this Female genitalia mutilation is continue now and it was
basically linked to age of 15 to 24 years at rural area (Berg, Odgaard-Jensen and Vist, 2016).
Further if mothers are not educated then their daughter suffer from such kind of problem. This
can be stopped b adopting some best approach for ending Female genitalia mutilation.
Female genital mutilation (FGM) as a form of honour based violence to control sexuality

The issue related to female genital mutilation has increased in many countries to due to
its direct impact on the sexual activities. It affects women to a great extent but considered as the
cultural justification for abuse as well as violence in order to control the sexuality. The practices
related to FGM is considered as protection of women against the sexual abuse related activities
as majority of their body parts attract male to a great extent (Control over Female Sexuality,
2017). Owing to this, they follow a different kind of approach under which people force women
to remove their private body parts or organs. Furthermore, this act is completed at the very
beginning or in the childhood of women or girls. It is quite painful procedure which affect the
mental and physical health of women. The practices related to FGM tends to create several kind
of issues for the women under which country consider this as the customs and tradition. The
main motive behind the same is it control the sexuality of women. However, many people take
the advantage of such kind of practices in order to get the economic benefit from the same. In
case female or families resist to do such kind of activities then it might be possible they might
not be able to get their kids married. They will be considered as the socially excluded people
(Honour’ Based Violence,Forced Marriage andFemale Genital Mutilation: Guidance, 2013).
The FGM is affecting the human rights in context of both national and international level.
This is because the equality, safety and security of the women or girls have not been considered
due to direct impact of such kind evil practices on the health of the women. This in turn they
need to suffer from such kind of evil impacts. However, under the practice of FGM genital parts
of the female are removed for the purpose of reduce the sexual desire of male. This is because
virginity of girls is protected just to prove that they did not have sex in part before the marriage.
On a critical note Perron and et. al., (2013) stated that in case they do not follow the same kind of
procedure then they are asked to go out of the society. Furthermore, the application of FGM is
helpful for society to provide the evidence that girl has become woman and she can effectively
satisfy the sexual desire of man. Furthermore, with the application of FGM the sexual desire of
the women can be controlled effectively as their attractive parts are cut. Braun (2014) stated that
child marriage and FGM have the direct relationship due to getting the girl prepared for the
purpose of marriage they just varied weapons such as blades or scissor to cut the sensitive part of
women's body. However, the overall impact can be seen on the increasing sexual pleasure of
men in the society because girl do not do sex with any other until they get married to a particular

man. However, people believe that FGM is helpful for the purpose of increasing the beauty of
girls as they become ready for the sex after the application of FGM only.
According to Isaacs (2016) psychosocial effects of FGM is prominent under which
women feel the lasting impact of FGM due to ineffective practices. Also they start feeling
insecure even with the relatives. Furthermore, the longer time or just the protection or controlling
of sexual activities might lead to increase their frustration level. Owing to this, it might become
the reason behind divorce or martial conflicts. He further stated ultimate reason of the FGM is
just to control the sexuality of women and enabling the control their same kind of behavior until
they get married with any man (Gupta, 2013). This serves as the effective etiquette as women
cannot have such kind of desire to have sexual intercourse with anybody. This is because vaginal
space is covered or narrowed for the purpose of ending the up the activities related to pre-
marrige sex. This in turn such kind of practices are taking place in the society and serving as the
honour based violence.
Efferson and et. al., (2015) tated that role of honour based violence is violating the human
right by forcing people to conduct such kind of unethical activities. This leads be more painful
for women and they become unable to take any action on right for their own protection. This
proves to be effective to take the appropriate measure and support the life of women with the
help of more effective regulatory framework. The countries like African continent and the
Middle east has high prevalence of FGM along with the its occurrence in the nation such as
North America and Western Europe. This would have greater impact on the independence of
female and continuous violation of their right to a great extent. For this purpose, it is important to
implement effective practices or procedures so as to reduce the tension level of women to a great
extent.
In addition to this, Esu and et. al., (2017) stated that women who undergo with FGM
suffer from varied issues such as pain in the urination and other related aspects. For example,
they do not become highly excited for doing sex due to blockage of vaginal part for longer time
span. Furthermore, hymen remain in the vagina only women need to suffer from acute pain.
Owing to this, pain management must be done effectively for the purpose of protection of
women right. On a critical note, application of FGM related practices cause serious health effect
on women such as chronic pain and vaginal infection as well as recurrent urinary. This affect

their life for longer time span and they need to suffer form a pain throughout their life.
Therefore, it can be said that short term benefit of society become quite panic for women as they
become less attentive towards the sexual activities. Not only this but women start ignoring their
relatives also due to distrust among them. Owing to this, their right should not be violated but
they must be provided justice by end up such kind of ridiculous practices which are implemented
just because of religion or culture as well as customs (Perron and et. al., (2013).
Berg and et. al., (2014) reported that sexual freedom of women is violated just by
applying such kid of practices and accordingly male anxiety is considered only. This directly
shed light on gender discrimination as women do not have sole control over their body. The
society take decision for the use of their body as per the will of the men. This demands for the
appropriate kind of practices so as to effectively provide punishment for the people at fault and
reduce the impact of such kind of practices to a great extent (Control over Female Sexuality,
2017). At the same time, legal status of women and men should be provided equal with
importance to their all kind of desire.
Tackling the honour based violence-the female genital mutilation
The honour based violence is increased due to lack of proper regulation and influence of
certain community. Here, people consider such kind of incident as the custom and rules of their
society so as to complete the social activities effectively. This enables them to live happily but
not the same in case they do not go for such kind of activities (Andro, Cambois and Lesclingand,
2014). However, UK do not provide support to such kind of community and provide right kind
of protective measures for the sufferers. This help women to take advantages of formulated
regulatory policies and take the legal actions against the people who are at fault. However, they
are provided full security from the end of police or other regulatory authority working at local
level. Not only but the social workers are putting efforts to remove such kind of bad practices by
giving the report of the same the authority on right time.
There are several kind of approach are implemented in the UK for the purpose of
handling or tackling the aspects related to honour based violence in the form of female genital
mutilation. However, it is considered as the illegal procedure in the nation. Also, the country do
not allow people to take their kids to another country where such kind of practices are considered

to be legal (Berg and Denison, 2013). The following policies have been developed in UK for the
protection of women against such kind of abusive practices.
 FMG Act, 2003-Under this act it is specified that practices related to FGM will be
considered as the criminal offence For this purpose, a person found guilty will be
provided the penalty of 14 years in prison. It is the maximum period. Owing to this, any
body engaged with such kind of practices must follow the regulation effectively (Multi-
agency statutory guidance on female genital mutilation, 2017)
 Domestic violence disclosure scheme is implemented by the government of UK in 2011
so as to provide the protection for female and promote their human right in an effectual
manner.
 Anti Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act, 2014-This is helpful to stop the violation
of human right provided for both men and women and force victim to complain against
the person at guilty. This aids to provide them full protection and right kind of
environment.
 Serious Crime Act 2015-Under this, victim get the protection from the civil court or
family one. Under this a person beaching this protection kind of regulations will be
provided sentence of up the 5 years in prison (Berg and et. al., 2014).
 Police Public protection bureau-Under this act victim get the protection from the police
department via clear investigation related to investigation. This in turn human rights are
promoted and accordingly it becomes easy for the people to enjoy their given right and
accordingly manage all related task.
Therefore, mentioned aspects proved to be effective to prevent such kind of illegal practices in
UK. On a critical note, still people are committing such kind of work in secret form so as to
follow their customers.
CONLCUSION
The aforementioned report concludes that honour based violence must not be entertained
by the government of nation as it is violate the right of female and put the question mark on their
freedom. Such kind of rigid practices affect the overall life style of women and influence them to
take the strict action. It can also be concluded that effective policies and regulatory framework is

implemented under UK so as to provide the equal right for both men and women. In addition to
this, other important practices such as taking views of women can be applied for tackling the
FGM related bad practices in the society.

REFERENCES
Journals and books

Abdulcadir, J., Catania, L., Hindin, M.J., Say, L., Petignat, P. and Abdulcadir, O., 2016. Female
Genital Mutilation. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 128(5), pp.958-963.
Andro, A., Cambois, E. and Lesclingand, M., 2014. Long-term consequences of female genital
mutilation in a European context: Self perceived health of FGM women compared to non-
FGM women. Social science & medicine. 106, pp.177-184.
Balfour, J., Abdulcadir, J., Say, L. and Hindin, M.J., 2016. Interventions for healthcare providers
to improve treatment and prevention of female genital mutilation: a systematic review.
BMC Health Services Research, 16(1), p.409.
Berg, R.C. and Denison, E., 2013. A tradition in transition: factors perpetuating and hindering
the continuance of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) summarized in a systematic
review. Health care for women international. 34(10). pp.837-859.
Berg, R.C. and et. al., 2014. Effects of female genital cutting on physical health outcomes: a
systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ open. 4(11). p.e006316.
Berg, R.C., Odgaard-Jensen, J., Fretheim, A., Underland, V. and Vist, G., 2016. Response to:
Female Genital Mutilation and Obstetric Outcomes: Flawed Systematic Review and Meta-
Analysis Does Not Accurately Reflect the Available Evidence. Obstetrics and
Gynecology International, 2016.
Berg, R.C., Odgaard-Jensen, J., Fretheim, A., Underland, V. and Vist, G., 2016. Response to:
Female Genital Mutilation and Obstetric Outcomes: Flawed Systematic Review and Meta-
Analysis Does Not Accurately Reflect the Available Evidence. Obstetrics and
Gynecology International, 2016.
Braun, V., 2014. Female Genital Cutting. Encyclopedia of Critical Psychology, pp.693-697.
Efferson, C. and et. al., 2015. Female genital cutting is not a social coordination norm. Science.
349(6255). pp.1446-1447.
Esu, E. and et. al., 2017. Antepartum or intrapartum deinfibulation for childbirth in women with
type III female genital mutilation: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. International
Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. 136(S1). pp.21-29.
Gupta, G.R., 2013. Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: A statistical overview and exploration of
the dynamics of change. Reproductive Health Matters. 21(42). pp.184-190.

Hamilton, A. and Kandala, N.B., 2016. Geography and correlates of attitude toward Female
Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Sudan: What can we learn from successive Sudan opinion
poll data?. Spatial and spatio-temporal epidemiology, 16, pp.59-76.
Isaacs, D., 2016. Female genital mutilation. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. 52(11).
pp.1041-1041.
Muteshi, J.K., Miller, S. and Belizán, J.M., 2016. The ongoing violence against women: female
genital mutilation/cutting. Reproductive health, 13(1), p.44.
Perron, L. and et. al., 2013. Female genital cutting. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Canada. 35(11). pp.1028-1045.
Toubia, N., Abouzeid, A. and Sharief, E., 2016. Health risk vs. defending rights. Female genital
mutilation/cutting can only be stopped by promoting respect for women’s rights.
Countdown 2015: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights for All, (Spec No), pp.18-
21.
Online
Control over Female Sexuality. 2017. [Online]. Available
through:<https://en.qantara.de/content/genital-mutilation-in-egypt-control-over-female-
sexuality>. [Accessed on 1st May 2017].
Honour’ Based Violence,Forced Marriage andFemale Genital Mutilation: Guidance, 2013.
[pdf]. Available through:<https://www.iwight.com/azservices/documents/2880-Honour-
Based-Violence-Forced-Marriage-and-Female-Genital-Mutilation-Guidance.pdf>.
[Accessed on 1st May 2017].
Multi-agency statutory guidance on female genital mutilation.. 2017. [Online]. Available
through:<https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/multi-agency-statutory-guidance-
on-female-genital-mutilation>. [Accessed on 1st May 2017].