Female genital mutilation. dangerous and excruciating procedure practiced by varied cultures, which poses both physical and psychological dangers on its victims.

Female Genital Mutilation is a dangerous and excruciating procedure practiced by varied cultures, which poses both physical and psychological dangers on its victims. It can be defined as the partial or total removal of the female genitalia.

Approximately 135 million girls and women have endured female genital mutilation already, and an additional two million each year are at risk of being mutilated (www.amnesty.org). The type of mutilation practised, the age at which it is carried out, and the way in which it is done varies (www.amnesty.org). Essentially, girls have no choice in the decision to be operated on since it is done when they are young, and they are not able to give their consent (www.arts.unimelb.edu.au), and are left with multiple and severe physical and psychological health consequences as a result (www.fgm.org).

Originating in Africa (www.religioustolerance.org), evidence of female genital mutilation can be found on Egyptian mummies dating back several thousands of years (www.fgm.org).

English: The approximate prevalence of Female Geni...

Map of Africa

English: A campaign against female genital mutilat...

It is still practiced extensively in Africa, and next in some countries in the Middle East. It has also been reported in countries such as Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, the UK and the USA. In industrialized countries it is rare for girls or female infants to be operated on by doctors from their community, but more commonly traditional practicers are brought into the country or the girls are sent abroad to be mutilated (www.amnesty.org). Female Genital Mutilation is not practiced by any particular religion; it is done most often for cultural beliefs (www.religioustolerance.org). Muslims, Christians, Jews, and Animists alike practice female genital mutilation (www.fgm.org).

There are an abundance of reasons for practicing female genital mutilation, and none seem worth the consequences in both the ordeal and aftermath of the operation. The most common reason appears to be that it is a method of reducing...