Impact of FGM: A Comprehensive Look at Women's Experiences in the UK

This report delves into the experiences of women in the United Kingdom who have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM). It begins with an introduction to FGM, highlighting its prevalence, health risks, and illegality, particularly within certain UK communities. The study addresses the problem statement by exploring the experiences of women, focusing on the cultural and religious justifications, the impact on women's health during marriage and childbirth, and the current state of FGM practices in Britain. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques to analyze the short-term and long-term effects on women's physical and psychological well-being. Ethical considerations and research limitations are also discussed, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of FGM and its implications for women in the UK. The report concludes with recommendations for safeguarding young women and eradicating FGM through government policies and awareness programs.

Female Genital Mutilation
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction:....................................................................................................................5
1.1 Research Background................................................................................................................5
1.2 Problem Statement.....................................................................................................................5
1.3 Rationale of the Research..........................................................................................................6
1.4 Research question......................................................................................................................6
1.6 Research Aim and Objectives....................................................................................................6
1.7 Significance of the Research.....................................................................................................7
Chapter 2: Literature Review...........................................................................................................9
2.1 Introduction................................................................................................................................9
2.2 Previous Literary Works............................................................................................................9
2.3 Conceptual Framework............................................................................................................10
2.4 Theoretical Framework:...........................................................................................................11
2.6 Long term effect on women physical health and psychology:................................................12
2.7 Short term effect on women physical health and psychology.................................................13
2.8 Disorder in psychology for long term and short term..............................................................13
2.9 Current state of genital mutilation on female..........................................................................14
Chapter 3: Research Methodology...............................................................................................15
3.0. Introduction:...........................................................................................................................15
3.1. Method outline:...................................................................................................................15
3.2. Research philosophy:..........................................................................................................15
3.2.1. Justification of the chosen philosophy:........................................................................15
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3.3. Research approach:.................................................................................................................16
3.3.1. Justification of the chosen research approach:....................................................................16
3.4. Research Design.....................................................................................................................16
3.4.1. Justification of the chosen research design:.........................................................................16
3.5 Purpose of the research:...........................................................................................................17
3.5.1. Justification of the chosen research purpose:......................................................................17
3.6. Strategy of this research:........................................................................................................17
3.7. Data collection process:..........................................................................................................17
3.7.1. Sources of data:....................................................................................................................18
3.7.2. Data analysis techniques:.....................................................................................................18
3.8. Sampling technique:...............................................................................................................18
3.8.2. Sample size:.........................................................................................................................19
3.11. Ethical consideration:...........................................................................................................19
3.12. Research limitation:..............................................................................................................19
3.13. Gantt chart:.......................................................................................................................19
3.14. Summary:..............................................................................................................................20
Chapter 4: Data Analysis and Findings (1500) Partha.................................................................21
4.1 Quantitative Analysis...............................................................................................................21
4.2 Qualitative Analysis.................................................................................................................28
Q2. What problems have you encounter post mutilation?......................................................28
Respondent 2:...............................................................................................................................29
Q.3. Have this process affected your sexual health and pregnancy?......................................29
Respondent 3:...............................................................................................................................29
Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendations..............................................................................30
5.1 Linking with Objectives..........................................................................................................30
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5.2 Recommendations....................................................................................................................30
5.3 Future Scope of the Research..................................................................................................31
5.4 Conclusion...............................................................................................................................31
Reference List:...............................................................................................................................32
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Chapter 1 Introduction:
1.1 Research Background
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is the method in, which the sensitive genital parts of the female
are being cut or changed without any medical or any valid reason (nhs.uk, 2018). This practice is
performed among the young girls at an approximate age of 15 years before puberty. By
performing this practise the healthy tissue is being altered, which may affect the health in a very
severe way. It is a case of child abuse and it is increasing and it is also illegal in UK .However, it
has been noticed that some people within few communities practiced this culture.
This practice has been found in almost in 28 countries in Africa. The community of UK, where
there is risk of FMG such as Somali, Ethiopian, Sudanese, Nigerian, Indonesian, etc. females. It
is a very sensitive and complex concern and it harms the health of the individual, however, it is
being practised in some communities and thought it to carry their cultural uniqueness (GOV.UK,
2018).
It is a very sensitive issue all over the world and it is very painful to the person, who has gone
through it. Therefore the agenda of the study is to gain knowledge on the current state of female
genital mutilation in UK and its impact of women. . It is necessary to make everyone aware of
the issue and to highlight the darker side of this FMG exercise.
1.2 Problem Statement
FMG is a very life risking methods that are still prevailing in the some of the UK communities. It
is affecting the female health very severely and it has long term effect in health related to child
birth, other genital disorder, and problem in urination, mental health of the victim also
diminishes. The female who has to bear this pain without their desire and this is being performed
forcefully to them. It is believed to ensure virginity and therefore FMG process has been done on
females. It has been done so that females are safeguarded for not having sex without marriage or
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not to feel the sexual pleasure before marriage (GOV.UK. (2018). It is also practiced to carry out
the religious belief in some communities. However, it is not at all supported by any religion. The
main problem of the research is to gain insights on the experiences of the women on genital
mutilation. . It is necessary to protect the girls and the female form FMG.
1.3 Rationale of the Research
The main concern of the topic is the practice of FMG among the female and the girls of around
15 years of age in UK. The process includes the cutting of female genital parts without any
specific reason and there is also no proper medical reason for this procedure. It is being practiced
in some communities of UK. It is being performed by four ways or it FMG has four parts such as
clitoridectomy it is a method of removing clitoris , excision it is a process of removing inner
parts of labia or all parts of clitoris , infibulations is a process of narrowing the opening of
vagina and other procedures also includes piercing, burning that specific area (nhs.uk, 2018).
There is no health benefit and it the method for controlling sexuality in female. It has been
observed all over the world and 200 million females have gone through this exercise.
It is a very sensitive issue as it affects the health of the female and the girls. It may result in
health related issue like, problem in giving birth to a child, urination problems; mental health of
the victim also deteriorates (England, 2018). It is necessary to protect the female form this
inhuman exercise of FMG.
Various data, statistics and information of FMG in UK has helped to understand the core
problem involved in it. It has helped to provide proper way to spread awareness about FMG in
the society. It reduces the exercise of FMG and one can easily find the information in this
project, which will help know about the current situation about the issue.
1.4 Research question
What are the experiences of female genital mutilation practices on women in United Kingdom?
1.6 Research Aim and Objectives
The purpose of the research is to gather knowledge on the experiences of female on genital
mutilation and analyze its short term and long effect on women.
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The objective of the research is enlisted below:
 To explore the culture and religious justification of the practices
 To evaluate the effect on women’s health during marriage and child birth
 To provide the current situation regarding the practice of female genital mutilation in
Britain
 To safeguard and protect the mal practice of FMG with the help of the Government of
United Kingdom’s policies and regulations for the young women in UK
1.7 Significance of the Research
The main purpose of the research of FGM is to make everyone aware about the actions involved
in it. It is very important that the research should be high quality so that the future scholars can
get all the data and the information regarding this topic of female genital mutilation. This data
will be utilized by farther researchers if required. In this research the all the statistics of UK and
after the analyses of the data it has been incorporated here. It is necessary to set knowledge for
further studies and researches. It is also necessary to understand the various issue related FMG.
Its effect in the society and to bring out the communities from the inhuman practice of this
culture. The research is done in a scientific way for improvement of the society and to spread
awareness among the people. It will be necessary to add knowledge and to progress or overcome
this practice of FMG form the society. In this research data analysis of the victim of FMG is
essential both from the previous data of the country and also the present data collected from any
organization. This research is not only important to the future scholars but also in eradicating the
issue from the society The research is important in everyone’s life as it gives different opinions
and different ideas can evolve to erase the issue form the society. It will give information about
the current scenario of UK and the practices of FMG.
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1.8 Structure of the Dissertation
Figure 1: Structure of Dissertation
Source: (Created by Author)
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Chapter 2: Literature Review
2.1 Introduction
In this very topic the previous literary has been discussed it has been stated to get an appropriate
background of the topic and it will enrich the study and enhance the knowledge. This is
important to give an overview of the whole topic in a brief manner. In this review conceptual
framework has been explained for the proper understanding of the project. The concept of female
genital mutilation has been stated to gather information about the same. The long term and short
effect of on women physical health and psychology has been discussed. The topic has covered
disorder of psychology in female and the current condition of genital mutilation on female.
2.2 Previous Literary Works
There are previous works about this topic of female genital mutilation. Craven et al., (2016) in
the journal name “Journal of surgical case reports’’. In this very work 31 year old woman facing
problem related to female genital mutilation.. The patient has gone through FGM at the age of 10
years and it was performed by religious affiliate in the mosque without any medical help. The
patient has to go the clinic to relieve form the complications. In this very journal the treatment of
the patient is presented.
As opined by Henning, (2017), in this journal “Obstetrics & Gynecology” the overview of
clitoral restoration whether it is valid, who had female genital mutilation earlier. In this journal
25 patients underwent to clitoral restoration process. It has been concluded in this journal that
there should be appropriate surgical method, which has been done against their wish.
According to O’Donnel et al., 2018 in the journal “Female genital mutilation surveillance in
under 16 years olds in the uk and ireland.” In this journal removal of genital parts from the
female body without any medical assistance. This study explains the incident and the
management in clinics related to children in UK and Ireland. Here 20 cases have been reported
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Female
Genital
Mutilation
Current state of genital mutilation on female
Short term effect on women physical health and psycho
The concept of female genital mutilation
Disorder in psychology
and Physical health for
long term and short
term
Theoretical Perspective: Culture and FGM
Long term effect on women physical health and psychology
related to FGM. The findings of the journal is to educate the society regarding health and social
care. It has also aimed to various programmes to support the national policies.
2.3 Conceptual Framework
Figure 2: Conceptual Framework
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Source: Created by Author
2.4 Theoretical Framework:
According to Momoh (2017), it has been observed that cultural is prevailing in the practice of
female genital mutilation. The theory has been defined to protect the human rights, which are
facing various challenges in today’s life. It has been observed that due to diverse cultures,
religion, thought and values in the society and it gives birth to various practices. In this scenario
of FGM, it can be understand that the inspiration for the exercise by viewing at the condition
who are involved in this. Human right include freed of speech, to believe in any religion, for this
the individual cannot be imprisoned. It has been observed that judging from the cultural and
ethical perspective anthropologist’s move away on FGM. It has been observed the human right
does not follow in case of women, when FGM is performed on the women. The men controls
and directs the women as there is inequality prevailing in the society. FGM is prevailing due the
women are being suppressed in the society by the men. Moral judgments of different cultures
and practices, it is based on profound understanding of the life of the women and traditions.
FGM has been introduced to the society due to different cultures and practices. FGM is the mal
practice prevailing in the society.
2.5 The concept of female genital mutilation:
According to Abdulcadir et al.,( 2016) FGM is the process of removal of genital parts from the
female body, which can be partial or the full removal of outer part of female genitalia. The
process is performed without any help of medical assistance. Therefore it is abuse of human
rights for the females. It is also known as female genital cutting by damaging the healthy parts of
the body, which may effect in the bad health of the female. There is no heath benefit of
performing this activity on the females. It is mainly done at the age between 10-15 years before
puberty. The practice is prevailing due to discrimination of gender in the society and due to lack
of knowledge and education among the people. It mainly controls the sexuality of women and
also the ideas to maintain beauty and chastity. It is mainly practiced so that the women do not
have the advantage of having sex before marriage or according to their desire. It is being
performed forcefully to the women and in spite of bearing tremendous pain.
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As opined by Cotton (2016), FGM has been practiced in many communities of UK and it may
result in various health related issue such as problem related to urination, menstruation difficulty,
mental health disorder, sudden pain etc. FMG is totally illegal in UK though it is being
performed secretly within the communities to maintain the cultural beliefs and tradition. It has
been observed that in few countries it is being performed with trained doctors and nurses. In
some countries the process of mutilation is performed by trained doctors and healthcare
professionals and it may reduce the big threat of infection and bleeding. Though this practice has
been totally banned in UK for the prevention of the health related issues of the females, however
the mal procedure prevails among the people.
2.6 Long term effect on women physical health and psychology:
FGM affects with various long term health related issue in the female body. It can be divided
into three different of problems such as Gynaecological, Obstetric and Psychological.
According to Reisel and Creighton (2015), gynaecological problem is a long term problem,
which may result to infection in vagina, keloid or genital scarring, disorder in menstruation,
severe urinary infection and problems related to it. It may also effect in Hepatitis B and chronic
health issue like HIV. FGM causes higher amount of risk to the health of the female. The
individual may face difficulty in menstruation with severe pain and lumps of blood. It may be
observed form the study that narrowing of the vagina slows the blood flow and it causes severe
pain. During urination the victim may face severe pain or even blood may come out. It may
affect the urethra, while FGM and there is poor floor of urine. Genital scarring it is one of the
most disorders found in the victim of FGM and it happens due to the removal of healthy tissues
from the genital parts of females, which result in scarring because of the formation of keloid. It
has been observed that there is obstruction in the clitoral part so it causes severe pain.
Obstetric and its complication are the result of FGM and it will create difficulty during
pregnancy. The victim might face complications, while there is labour pain and it may lead to
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