According to UNFPA Female genital mutilation (FGM) involves the partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non-medical reasons.
FGM is most commonly performed on girls before they reach puberty, and can cause significant physical and psychological harm.
The procedure itself is often performed without anesthesia and in unsanitary conditions, leading to a great deal of pain, trauma, and potential complications such as infections, hemorrhaging, and even death. The long-term consequences of FGM can also include chronic pain, difficulty with urination and sexual intercourse, and increased risk of childbirth complications.
Furthermore, FGM is often carried out in the name of cultural or religious tradition, despite the fact that it has no basis in any religious text and is considered a human rights violation by the United Nations. It is important to raise awareness about the harmful effects of FGM and work to end this practice, while also providing support and resources for girls and women who have undergone FGM.
Read Catherine Meng’anyi – a Kenyan Nurse and survivor’s story for first hand account of living with FGM and campaigning against it.
