Female Circumcision

What is female circumcision?

Female circumcision, also known as female genital mutilation (FGM), is the cutting or removal of parts of a woman’s external genitalia. This practice is often done for cultural or traditional reasons, but it has no health benefits and can cause serious harm to women and girls.

FGM is considered a violation of women’s rights and is now widely condemned across the world. In Africa, this practice has existed for centuries. In Ghana, for example, about 4% of women have undergone FGM, but in the Upper East Region, the rate is as high as 38%. It is still performed in some communities due to deep-rooted traditions and beliefs.

Why do some communities still practice female circumcision?

FGM continues in some African societies because of cultural, social, and economic reasons. Some of the key beliefs that sustain the practice include:

• Control over female sexuality: Some believe that if a girl’s genitalia especially the clitoris is removed, she will be less sexually active before marriage and more faithful afterward.
• Rite of passage: In certain cultures, FGM is part of a girl’s transition to womanhood.
• Myths and misconceptions: Some believe that if a woman is not circumcised, her clitoris will grow into a penis or that FGM improves fertility and childbirth.
• Religious justification: Although neither Islam nor Christianity supports FGM, some communities use religion as an excuse for the practice.
• Marriage and economic survival: In places where FGM is common, girls who are not circumcised may struggle to find a husband, and marriage is often seen as the main way for women to secure financial stability.
• Perceived hygiene and beauty: Some believe that the female genitalia are

“unclean” and must be removed for a woman to be considered beautiful and pure.

How common is female circumcision in Africa?

FGM is still practiced in many African countries, but the prevalence varies. Here are some figures:

• Over 200 million women and girls worldwide have undergone FGM, with the majority living in Africa.
• Somalia has the highest rate, with over 90% of women affected.
• In Sudan,Egypt, and Mali, more than 80% of women have undergone the procedure.
• In West Africa, countries like Guinea (95%) and Sierra Leone (86%) still have high rates.
• In Ghana, it is less common (4% overall), but in some northern regions, such as the Upper East Region, it remains a major issue.

Common misconceptions about FGM?

1. “FGM is safer when done by a doctor or nurse”
   1. Fact: No form of FGM is safe. Even when performed in a hospital, it still carries serious risks.
   1. It can cause severe bleeding, infections, and long-term health complications.
   1. No medical professional should perform FGM—it is against ethical medical practices.
2. “FGM is a religious requirement”
   1. Fact: No major religion (Islam or Christianity) demands female circumcision.
   1. Religious scholars and leaders across Africa are speaking out against it.
3. “FGM is necessary for a girl to become a woman”
   1. Fact: Being a woman is not determined by circumcision but by age, maturity, and knowledge.
   1. Many strong and successful African women have never undergone FGM.

Health complications of female circumcision?

FGM can cause serious short-term and long-term health issues. Below are some of the complications women and girls can face:

Short-term complications:

• Severe pain during and after the procedure.
  • Heavy bleeding (hemorrhage), which can lead to death.
  • Infections, including HIV and hepatitis, due to unsterilized tools.
  • Swelling and difficulty in urination.
  • Emotional and psychological trauma, leading to fear, anxiety, and depression.

Long-term complications:

• Chronic pain and infections.
  • Painful urination and menstruation due to scar tissue.
  • Difficulty in childbirth, leading to complications for both mother and baby.
  • Fistula (false vagina), a condition that causes urine and feces to leak continuously.
  • Reduced sexual pleasure and pain during intercourse.

What can be done to stop female circumcision?

To end FGM, everyone must take part—families, communities, religious leaders, and governments. Some steps that can help include:

• Education and awareness: Informing people, especially parents, about the dangers of FGM.
  • Speaking out: Survivors sharing their stories to warn others.
  • Law enforcement: Many African countries, including Ghana, have made FGM illegal. People who perform or promote it can face jail time.
  • Community involvement: Working with elders and leaders to create new rites of passage that do not harm girls.
  • Empowering girls and women: Providing education and skills so that women are not financially dependent on marriage.

Conclusion: protecting the future of African girls?

Female circumcision is a dangerous and outdated practice that brings more harm than good. Across Africa, many governments and organizations are working to stop it, but real change must come from within communities.

It is important to remember that being uncircumcised does not make a girl impure or unworthy. Every African girl deserves to grow up healthy, whole, and free from harm.

If you or someone you know is at risk of FGM, seek help from health professionals, human rights organizations, or community leaders who are against the practice.