Female Genital Mutilation FGM

What is FGM ? Female Genital Cutting are all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, Female Genital Cutting are all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs, whether for cultural or other non therapeutic reasons or other injury to the female genital organs, whether for cultural or other non therapeutic reasons

What are some of the consequences of FGM? infection infection tetanus tetanus bleeding bleeding tearing during child delivery tearing during child delivery keloid formation keloid formation risk of HIV infection risk of HIV infection

Why does FGM occur? A traditional rite of passage/ part of initiation into adulthood. A traditional rite of passage/ part of initiation into adulthood. power inequalities and the passive nature of women to dictates of their communities. power inequalities and the passive nature of women to dictates of their communities.

Justifications for FGM are: A custom and tradition A custom and tradition religious; it is a religious requirement religious; it is a religious requirement preservation of virginity preservation of virginity social acceptance for marriage social acceptance for marriage Hygienic and a cleanliness practice Hygienic and a cleanliness practice increases sexual pleasure for the male increases sexual pleasure for the male family honour family honour a sense of belonging to the social group a sense of belonging to the social group enhances fertility enhances fertility

Consequences of FGM Consequences of FGM Can have short-term and long-term health implications Can have short-term and long-term health implications

Short term health implications include: severe pain and shock severe pain and shock infection infection urine retention urine retention injury to adjacent tissues injury to adjacent tissues immediate fatal hemorrhaging immediate fatal hemorrhaging

Long-term implications entail: extensive damage of the external reproductive system extensive damage of the external reproductive system uterus, vaginal and pelvic infections uterus, vaginal and pelvic infections cysts and neuromas cysts and neuromas increased risk of Vesico Vaginal Fistula increased risk of Vesico Vaginal Fistula complications in pregnancy and child birth complications in pregnancy and child birth psychological damage psychological damage sexual dysfunction sexual dysfunction difficulties in menstruation difficulties in menstruation

Conclusion In Kenya, estimated prevalence rate of FGM is 38%, and the prevalent forms are clitoridectomy and excision In Kenya, estimated prevalence rate of FGM is 38%, and the prevalent forms are clitoridectomy and excision