Sunday, March 14, 2010

Ending Gender Mutilation

I stumbled across a website that was promoting the ending of female genital mutilation that has been a widespread practice. FGM is a violation against women human rights. The effects that these practices have on women have long and short term effects on their bodies depending on what procedure has been done. Not only do these effects have a physical damage they also cause mental damage like post-traumatic stress syndrome. some of the physical side effects are fever, urninary infections, shock, severe pain, and wound infections. There are a few reasons why FGM is practiced. Some cultures feel that by these procedures they can control the female sexual drive or sexuality. some feel that it should be required for their certain religion and some just feel that it helps with fertility. A lot of FGM is found in patriarchal cultures where women depend on the men and do not have the same rights in their society as the men do.

FGM takes away a woman's rights by denying them their sexuality. By cutting away their genitals they are not being given the right to pleasure or a healthy body. Many women die from the pain and stress of the procedures and for what? Because a man wants to control their body.

I was glad to read that there are many programs going on that are fighting to end FGM. They are having a hard time with it because it is invading another culture's practices. Like many people, I would love to see this practice end COMPLETELY. I would like to look into ways I could help these women who suffer with the aftermath of FGM.

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