“Even though cultural practices may appear senseless or destructive from the
standpoint of others, they have meaning and fulfil a function for those who
practise them. However, culture is not static; it is in constant flux, adapting
and reforming. People will change their behaviour when they understand the
hazards and indignity of harmful practices and when they realize that it is
possible to give up harmful practices without giving up meaningful aspects of
their culture.”
— Female Genital Mutilation, A joint WHO/UNICEF/UNFPA statement, 1997
In the world, there are a large number of women that undergo genital mutilation in the name of tradition, a practice that for many –especially in the west- seems incorrect, brutal and unreasonable, but for many cultures it is a ritual to celebrate.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) defined Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) as “the partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons”. Most of these female circumcisions occurred as a form of social costume in some countries of Africa, Asia and in the Middle East and with migration the practice is spreading to the US, Europe and Australia and other industrialized countries (UNICEF, 2005).
Some of these communities may have long forgotten the reasons for it and may not even question the practice. Others assert that it is not just a cultural tradition but also a religious one. Nevertheless, it is not a requirement of any of the major world religions and it is a mistaken belief that it is an Islamic practice, simply because it is practiced mostly in North Africa, especially in Muslim areas.
There are many procedures for this ritual and for those who practice them are not considered a health hazard, but many health organizations and NGOs disagree, stating that this practice can cause long-term effects or to result in death. The harmful practice is deeply ingrained into common social principle in some communities where it is practiced and failure to perform the mutilation on the girls will bring dishonor, shame and segregation from the rest of their society.
Female circumcision is practiced by people of many ethnicities and various religious backgrounds, including Muslims, Christians, and Jews, as well as followers of traditional African religions (UNICEF 2005). It has not been possible to determine when or where the tradition of FGM originated, but according to the Dutch NGO (GIZ) “The roots of the practice go back to pre- Islamic and pre-Christian times”.
In an article by David Westley, about ʻFemale Circumcision and Infibulation in Africaʼ it has been established that the origins of FGM are Egyptian and that there is plenty of evidence that FGM was practiced on ancient mummies and it dates as far back as about 2500 years ago.
The common convention to practice a form of circumcision was first recognized as a tradition of passage from childhood to womanhood.
Nevertheless, on a documentary by Current TV, it is shown that the procedure nowadays is practiced by many communities, as a cultural convention. This can be carried out from as early as a few days after birth, as the ritual and celebration will involve less people and therefore be cheaper. There is a global trend in the progressive lowering of the age at which girls undergo the practice.
The debate over FGM is complex. On one hand you have this cultural practice of “good traditions” ,“group identities” and on the other hand the immediate and long-term psychological and heath consequences that in many cases lead to death.
 |
Complications Encountered by PATH.org |
However, there are many disadvantages to this procedure and FGM can cause irreparable harm, whether is mild or severe, it reduces femalesʼ sexual desire and in patriarchal societies (which is the majority of countries where it is practiced) it is intended to increase the enjoyment of the male partner and that “all types of FGM inhibit the sexual fulfillment and pleasure of women” (WHO).
International NGOs have been joining forces and making alliances during the last decade towards the total abolition of the FGM. Addressing the issue and making people aware of the health and legal complications is the only way to stop this barbaric act.
It is believed that FGM originated in the time of the pharaohs (UNFPA) and is just practiced in Africa. But today it has spread into Europe, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States due to immigration. The justification of FGM generally relates to tradition, power inequalities and the ensuing compliance of women to the dictates of their communities. Many of the practitioners are unwilling to change their customs and are often kept ignorant of the real implications of FGM and the extreme health risks that it involves.
What right do others have to question or criticize certain traditions or ways of life? Is it the importance of cultural imperialism? Off course it is important to ensure that these females are healthy and that their human rights are not violated, but their cultures and believes should also be respected. And what about men? Why donʼt the laws and campaigns against circumcision not apply to men and boys as well?
One is not against or pro FGM, one believes that many campaigns work in order to eliminate the practice it can end up in eliminating cultural beliefs. Law enforcement does not eradicate the rituals, just makes them illegal. Campaigns should start educating societies who perform these procedures
about the serious physical and psychological cost of the practice, giving them further options. For communities to be able to re-shape their traditions and rituals and leave behind the bloodiness of their practices erasing the mentalities attached and the consciousness involved in the tradition. Only
then Article 24 and Article 29 of the UN convention can come into practice without ambiguity.
No comments:
Post a Comment