The outright removal of the outer flesh from a female’s vagina (clitoris), popularly known as female circumcision or female genital mutilation is no longer new in many communities in Nigeria. A total violation of the female’s body, this act of genital mutilation has been condemned in various spheres, yet, its continuous patronage has become a cause for concern.  It does not only strip its victims of certain feminine feelings, it constitutes a serious health risk to them especially at childbirth and as harbinger of diseases.
For more information about this health challenging phenomenon, The Tide’s Women Desk undertook a study on its practice and possible effect on victims.
Why is Female Genital Mutilation performed?
Female genital mutilation is assumed to be performed to control so called women sexuality. It is thought to ensure virginity till marriage and fidelity afterwards. It is also seen as a part of a girl’s initiation into womanhood. In some communities around the world, the female outer flesh in the vagina (clitoris) is considered dirty and ugly. That is why it is being removed. According perpetrators, it promotes hygiene in woman’s body.
Where does this practice come from?
The origin of this practice is truly unclear to anyone, but it is said that some Egyptian women carried out Female Genital Mutilation on their daughters and it went well for them. Historians such as Herodotus claimed that in the fifth century BC, the Phoenicians, the Hittites and the Ethiopians practiced circumcision. Circumcision rites were also practiced in the tropical part of Africa. It is also practiced in this our country, Nigeria till this present day.
At what age is the Female Genital Mutilation carried out?
It varies from place to place. Female Genital Mutilation is mostly carried out during infancy, just few days after birth, while in some places it happens during childhood, within the age of 8 or sometimes at the teen age.
Who performs Female Genital Mutilation?
It is the elderly women in the community that carry out the act or by a medical practitioner in the village. There are over 200 million girls alive today that are believed to have been subjected to FGM. It is a reflection of global population growth. Girls that have undergone FGM are everywhere in the world, mostly in Africa.
What instrument are used to perform Female Genital Mutilation
Female Genital Mutilation is carried out with special knives, scissors, scalpels, pieces of glass or razor blades. Anesthetic and antiseptic are generally not used unless the procedure is carried out by medical practitioners. In communities where circumcision is practiced, the girls leg are often bound together to immobilize them for 10-14 days, allowing the formation of scar tissue. No Religion supports Female Genital Mutilation because it is not good.
What is the psychological effect of the Female Genital Mutilation?
The initial procedure can result in severe shock, pain, bleeding, tetanus or sepsis, bacterial infections, inability to urinate, open sores in genital region and injury to nearby genital tissue and the girls are at risk of abnormal menstrual flow, recurrent bladder and urinary tract infections, cysts, pain during sex, lack of sexual pleasure and infertility. Victims also suffer psychological problems following the very often traumatic procedure.
How about the health effects
Female Genital Mutilation has a very serious health implication. The immediate complications are severe pain, shock, hemorrhage, tetanus or infection, urine retention, ulceration of genital region and injury to adjacent tissue. Urinary infection, fever and septicemia hemorrhage and infection can be severe enough to cause death.
Long-term consequences; complications during childbirth, anemia, the formation, of cysts and  abscesses, keliod scar formation, damage to the urethra resulting in urinary influence, dsypareunia, (painful sexual intercourse), sexual dysfunction, hypersensitive of the genital area and increased risk of HIV transmission, as well as psychological effects.
What do the girls who have experienced Female Genital Mutilation have to say about it?
Women around the world are speaking out about their experiences and advocating for change. None of them that has passed through it recommends it to any other girl. They all kick against this evil act.
Nkechi shared her story. She said she and her two sisters and their mother were preparing to visit her family back home. She said, she thought they were going for holiday, only to discover later that they were going to be circumcised. Her mother told them, that a day before that day the girl that was circumcised died in the process. She and her sisters were scared and didn’t want to suffer the same fate but their parents told them that is their obligation so they went. She and her sisters thought they were going to die because of the pain. You have one woman holding your mouth so you won’t scream, two women holding your legs. After they were circumcised, they had to learn to walk again. They had to try to go to the toilet, if you couldn’t pass water in the next 10 days that means something went wrong. This act is been carried out in so many places here in Nigeria. Places like Imo,  Rivers, Plateau states and several other places still practice female genital mutilation.
What does the law have to say about the FGM
The Law says that anyone or group of people caught carrying out this act, should be arrested with immediate effect, it is barbaric, it is punishable by law. Whoever that is caught will face 14 years imprisonment.
Azodoh writes from Port Harcourt.

Chinasa Azodoh