For God so love the world, He created man and woman to live on planet earth as equal partners to enjoy the bounties therein. Today, we celebrate the other half of humanity- the women. As we salute the women of the world, let’s join hands to put an end to an end to female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as female genital cutting and female circumcision, as this unhealthy practice continues in any parts of the world including Nigeria.
A healthy women’s population is a healthy world, therefore, it is incumbent on all women and all feminists (women and men) to promote gender equality, stop female genital mutilation, gender injustice and to elevate other intersecting social issues. We have to work assiduously for the elevation of the women.
What is more heartrending about this ritual practice is that it is being done without any medical reason, causing intentional injuries to the female genital organs. The procedures involve removing and damaging healthy and normal female genital tissue, and interfere with the natural functions of girls’ and women’s bodies.
The procedure has no health benefits for girls and women; instead it harms the individuals in many ways.
In fact, it can cause severe bleeding, urinary and sexual problems, and later cysts, infections, as well as complications in childbirth and increased risk of newborn deaths. The procedures can cause even death. The cruel practice can also cause psychological problems – depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, low self-esteem, etc.
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 200 million girls and women alive today have been cut in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia where FGM is concentrated. The procedures are mostly carried out on young girls between infancy and age 15, as well as occasionally on adult women. More than 3 million girls are estimated to be at risk for FGM annually.
WHO urges health professionals not to perform the procedures, which are a violation of the human rights of girls and women. In May 2016, WHO in collaboration with the UNFPA-UNICEF joint programme on FGM launched the first evidence-based guidelines on the management of health complications from FGM.
We have to make feminism great and give the women to their share of political power and every other thing in the world. Feminist movements have been oppressed and co-opted by the government. Seen as a Western ideal incompatible with the fabric of African society, it is routinely demonized, along with “liberalism,” by religious fundamentalist groups. The world will be a much better place if we respected the rights of the women and treat them as an equal, starting with a stop to FGM.
Happy International Women’s Day.
