Female Circumcision and Infibulation in Africa

Abstract

"Female Genital Mutilation" is a recently coined term for a custom going back to the ancient Egyptians. Although it has been reported as far afield as South America and Malaysia, its main locus is Africa. It involves really two procedures, excision of the clitoris with varying degrees of completeness and infibulation or "Pharaonic circumcision", the sewing together of the labia majora of the vulva with catgut or thorns accompanied by excision. A reed or stick is inserted at the bottom to allow urine or menstrual blood to flow through. The varying forms of these procedures are not considered a health hazard by those who practice them but they have been found to be extremely detrimental to the health of those on whom it is performed. Short term effects include ulceration, hemorrhaging, septicemia and tetanus infections exacerbated by the use of crude, unsterilized instruments which can be severe enough to result in death. Long-term effects include retention of urine, disturbances of menstruation, blood clots, edema, obstetrical complications, sterility, psychological trauma and frigidity. It also helps to spread AIDS. Like male circumcision, female circumcision, as it is often called, was originally an initiation rite though now it is frequently practiced on younger girls, even infants.