I was very disheartened at the content of most of the discussion on Female
Genital Mutilation(FGM). I was particularly disappointed when I read all
the discussion on comparisons between
FGM and male circumcision. Though related, the two practices should
be analyzed separately. Putting FGM and male circumcision side by side,
diminishes the magnitude of FGM. This approach is truly unfair. The two
should be discussed individually and then together, so that we don't lose
sight of the arguments and get into "well what's the difference, we both
go through it" type of arguments.
In any case, I have a feeling that a lot of us don't know what FGM
entails. I will briefly try to describe the major types of FGM in
Eritrea.
Though variations exist, generally FGM takes on three different forms:
circumcision, excision, and infibulation(sometimes called pharoanic).
During my research in Eritrea, I discovered that there is also a free
style mutilation, which is FGM left to the discretion of the practitioner
(kenshabete)
1) Circumcision: is equivalent to the male circumcision where the hood
(prepuce) of the clitoris is cut off. The removal of this tissue
causes severe pain or numbing during sexual intercourse. The hood is
necessary to minimize extreme irritation to the most sensitive part
of a woman's genitalia---her clitoris. The absence of the hood makes
sex a very unpleasant and sometimes terrifying experience for the woman.
This and the next form are common among the Tigrinia.
2) Excision: consists of the removal of the clitoris along with the hood
(prepuce). In some cases, some practitioner will choose to excise the labia
minora (inner lips) as well, giving the area an "empty" and less
mysterious look. Which some ethnic groups find very attractive and less
threatening. This practice often leads to scarring which makes orgasm
almost impossible for the woman.
3) Infibulation or pharoanic: the most tragic and barbaric form, where
the clitoris is excise, the labia minora (inner lips) are is removed,
parts of the labia majora (outer lips) are sliced cut, and then the
remains of the outer lips are pinned together with thread, thorns, straw
or anything else that will facilitate the fusing (binding) of the two
sides of the outer lips. A small opening is usually preserved by taking
care not to seal the area around the vagina and urethra, other times an
actual object is inserted in between the two sides of the outer lips
before the infibulation is completer, so the tissue fuses around the
object, creating a canal like passage for urine and menstrual blood.
Infibulation often leads to urine retention, mentsrual blood retention,
hemorrhaging, shock, infections, keloid formation(thick scar tissue
formation), severe difficulties in child birth and of course---excruciating
pain during sexual intercourse. You never will hear of these complications
because it is shameful to reveal the cause of death or suffering as being
as a result of infibulation. Infibulation is prominent among the Saho,
Bilen, Afar, Hedareb, and Tigre ( I will provide citation if requested)
The cutting tools vary from region to region. Where sharp knife are
available, all these operations are done with a knife, otherwise any
instrument ranging from can tops to stones, to saw toothed knives, to razor
blades to pieces of glass are used for the operation
What was really upsetting to me when I did this research two years ago
was the lacking of consensus as to why FMG exists. Common responses were:
Woman have to be protected from luscivious men, The Qoran commands us,
Aesthics(it's prettier), Hygeine(it's cleaner), Greater sexual pleasure
for men, To prevent females from becoming promiscuous, It's our culture
and we must not question it, The Bible says so.
Amanuel, I don't know where u found that legislative act the prohibits, FGM
in the US, but last I checked Senator Pat Schroder of Colorado was trying to
pass a national law to outlaw the practice but it was tabled. As far as
I know the US is one of the few Western nations that still doesn't have a
law against the practice. Several proposals were drawn but they were never
passed, so perhaps what you posted was a proposal, if I am wrong, I stand
corrected.
There's so much more I can say, but I hate it when people write "books" on
Dehai and here is hopefully my first and my last "book".
Sewit, thank u for your concise and to the point rebuttals.
Almaz Andu