Background of Research
Female genital mutilation is an issue that is increasingly becoming an issue of public health concern due to its association with the deterioration of an individual’s wellbeing. WHO (2018) defines female genital mutilation as a procedure performed on the external part of the female genitalia whether for cultural of non-therapeutic reasons, which involves the partial or total incision and removal of this part in turn resulting in the causation of injury (Abdulcadir, Catania, & Hindin, 2016). This procedure offers no substantial benefit to the girls and women. However, they are associated with the causation of negative health concerns on the women which e.g. through the causation of severe bleeding, severe urination problems and complications during childbirth (Muteshi, Miller, & Belizan, 2016).
Culture is a major contributor to female genital mutilation with traditional circumcisers playing the central of female circumcision in the community (Shaeer & Shaeer, 2016). However, there are healthcare settings that implement these procedures and are of the belief that performing these procedures in the healthcare setting makes the procedure to be error free (Ortensi, Farina, & Menonna, 2015). This procedure is however discouraged by the international bodies in the world like the World health Organization that discourages health professional from performing these procedures (WHO, 2018).
According to Okeke, Anyaehie, & Ezenyeaku (2013), the burden of female genital mutilation is largely attributed to old traditions and cultures which have offer significant benefit to the women. There are at least countries in the world that practice female genital mutilation especially in African countries. Globally, at least 115-130 million are circumcised however, the biggest prevalence lies among countries like Somalia and Djibouti (UNICEF, 2017).
Female genital mutilation is also regarded as being a violation to human right of women in the world. It is also regarded as being a form of gender based violence as some cultures force women to perform the circumcision practices. UNICEF (2017) also notes that female genital mutilation not only violates an individual’s right to health but this procedure subjects an individual to cruelty, limited physical integrity and their right to be free from torture.
Problem Statement
Female genital mutilation and cutting offers no significant input in relation to the improving the overall wellbeing of women. This procedure is however associated with the causation of injury, severe bleeding and complications that might occur during childbirth (Okeke et al., 2013). Additionally, severe forms of genital mutilation can also result in the causation of death. WHO (2018) notes that there are at least 200 million who have undergone genital mutilation in Africa, Asia and the Middle East where such practices are common. These women are subjected to FGM from when they are as young as infancy and 15 years of age (WHO, 2018).
According to UNICEF (2017), in the last two decades , a number of corrective measures have been put in place in order to help in the reduction of the prevalence of female genital mutilation in affected countries. The community and the national government have been ensuring that these practices are discouraged and offenders are subjected to the stiffest penalties. However, these strategies are highly irrelevant with the rapid level of population growth (Alkhalaileh, Hayford, Norris, & Galo, 2018).
Political and academic response to FGM
Female Genital Mutilation also known as FGM or cutting is the practice, traditional in some cultures, of partially or totally removing the external genitalia of girls and young women for non-medical reasons. It is illegal in many countries. Although it not medically approved many countries especially in Africa and Asia are still practicing it on very young females. Especially in Africa countries like Somali, Kenya and Ethiopia FGM is a well-known practice that has been practiced for several years. Different organizations from Europe fled to Africa in hopes of giving an idea a practice such as an FGM can have a major negative impact in women physiological, emotional and physical upbringing. My research will focus mainly on the political and academic response of FGM, since majority of population have no knowledge when it comes to the seriousness of the situation.
The political and academic responses to female genital mutilation in each country are different since the law and awareness of the issue differs from each countries. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is still widespread in many continents across the world. For example, it has been estimated that millions of girls and women undergo this procedure every year around the world. Considering the pain and trauma that FGM entails to women, international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) have intensified their campaign against the practice of FGM. The international campaign led mainly by the western academicians, politicians and western media against FGM is also not unproblematic. For example, It is also been argued that the political and academic responses to FGM also lacks any international human rights instruments that can help address the issue of FGM. Many consider the opposition to FGM as “imperialist” in nature, (Wade, 2012) that have rushed to judgment regarding FGM as bad without taking into consideration cultural pluralism (Shweder, 2002). Others argue that to deal with the issue of FGM, it is important for the international community to take into consideration the cultural aspects that govern FGM in the first place. For example, to best deal with the issue of FGM, it is important that the international campaign against FGM takes into consideration the cultural divide that exists around the world, and develop action strategies that offer both protection as well as respect for the culture and autonomy of the women and families who practice FGM (Shell-Duncan, 2008).
Justification of the Study
Female genital mutilation is a practice that is mainly implemented in the communities as a way of ensuring purity of women. However, this is associated mainly results in the causation of harmful health effects among the victims which is a contradiction of what the process was mainly aimed to achieve. Female genital mutilation is associated with the causation of health related complication which results in the causation of chronic pain, sexual dysfunction and complications during pregnancy which can result in the causation of death despite these conditions being avoidable
Research Question
- What is the prevalence of female genital mutilation among women in Somalia?
- What are the most common health complications that women who have undergone female genital mutilation experience in Somalia?
- What type of female genital mutilation that is most commonly conducted among women in Somalia?
- What is the effectiveness of the mitigation measures for prevention of female genital mutilation among women in Somalia?
Aim of the Research
The main aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of Female genital mutilation and its impact on the wellbeing of Women in Somalia.
Objectives of the research
• To determine the prevalence of female genital mutilation among women in Somalia and Ethiopia
• To investigate the most common health complications that women who have undergone female genital mutilation experience in Somalia?
• To evaluate the type of female genital mutilation that is most commonly conducted among women in Somalia
• To assess the effectiveness of the mitigation measures for prevention of female genital mutilation among women in Somalia