Abstract:
Female circumcision also known as female genital mutilation
(FGM), involves none medical cutting or removal of some parts or the entire external female genitalia. FGM is known to cause
physical health problems such as scaring or formation of keloids,
infertility, infections and menstrual difficulties. FGM also causes
complications during labor and delivery, which include prolonged
labor, post-partum hemorrhage and perineal tears. Psychological
problems are major effects such as depression, low self-esteem
and post-traumatic stress syndrome. Social health problems
to victims and indirectly to significant others may include lack
of intimacy related to sexual dysfunction like arousal, orgasm,
lubrication and satisfaction. The practice is very rampant in most
African countries and the effects have global impacts. Much is being done to try and alleviate the suffering of the victims as well
as trying to eradicate the practice by educating communities
through their leaders, men involvement and coming up with
policies that protect the rights of women against such gender
based violence. Studies have been done on FGM but still there
is literature gap on the global physical, social and psychological
effects of FGM. These effects need to be studied specifically on
the victims as the study group and the survivors as the control
group. Such studies will provide evidence to healthcare providers
to effectively initiate high quality medical care to both the victims
and the survivors of FGM.
