Female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C) is defined by WHO as “all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.” These pain procedures could mean piercing, cutting, removing, or sewing closed all or part of a girl’s or woman’s external genitals.
The side effects include:
· constant pain.
· pain and difficulty having sex.
· repeated infections, which can lead to infertility.
· bleeding, cysts and abscesses.
· problems peeing or holding pee in (incontinence)
· depression, flashbacks and self-harm.
· problems during labour and childbirth, which can be life threatening for mother and baby.
People practice FGM for cultural reasons, it is often linked to virginity and being faithful during marriage. The damage to the genitalia means the chance of a woman having illicit sexual relations is reduced – because her libido is decreased, and the opening is too narrow. Femininity and modesty can be a factor.