The World Health Organization estimates that between 100 million and 140 million women and girls world wide have been subjected to female genital mutilation. The report states that about three million girls are at risk each year.
The purpose of female genital mutilation is to curb the sexual desire of the girl or woman and preserve her sexual honor before marriage.. They see this as a way of guaranteeing her virginity and fidelity. The mutilation is irreversible and the procedure is extremely painful.
FGM is practiced in Egypt, Somalia, Yemen, Mali, Sudan, Guinea, Djibouti, Mauritania and others. Knives, scissors, scalpels, pieces of glass and razor blades are often used and often times these instruments are not sterile. What is even more troubling is that the procedure is often done without anesthetic.
The practice has dreadful consequences. Mortality rate is high and the survivors suffer their whole lives from the psychological and medical consequences of the operation. They are traumatized and suffer from health issues during marriage and pregnancy. Most endure rather than enjoy sex. Female Genital Mutilation must stop. No woman should have to endure this horrible form of abuse.
Related articles
- Female genital mutilation: ‘I want to help other girls’ (guardian.co.uk)
- UN passes first resolution condeming female genital mutilation (rawstory.com)
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Author Marva Seaton 
I am stunned by this practice. I have never heart of it. Praying God will put an end to it. Thanks for sharing.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
I really do hope it will end sometime in the near future!
Saw a documentary on it several years ago. It is beyond outrageous.
It is quite outrageous, women should not be made to to endure such horror!
Such horror inflicted on innocent girls and women…
It is really sad to know of these kind of abuse which girls and women suffer from worldwide!
Marva, this is practised in some parts of my country and there is strong advocacy going on against it currently. With much education, the practice is dying down. Well said. 🙂
Well that is good to know because this practice has no benefit to women and girls. It is just a source of pain and suffering!