Sex and Sexuality: a Cultural Taboo - Essay Example

Sex and Sexuality: Female Circumcision, a Cultural Taboo? Cultural, social and religious beliefs have been practiced by different cultures and race all over the world. Example of these practices is female circumcision but to some they called it female genital mutilation or female genital cutting. People involve on these practices considered it legal but for wider public, they considered it illegal due to health and emotional implications that come along with it. Female genitalia mutilation, also known as female genitalia cutting refers to all procedures involving partial or total removal of external genital organs for non medical reasons. It is classified into four categories; Type I or clitoridectomy, it is a partial or total removal of the clitoris and/or the prepuce. Type I is subdivided into two, Type 1a which is the removal of clitoral hood or prepuce only while in Type Ib is the removal of clitoris with prepuce. Type II or excision is a partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, with or without excision of the labia majora. It is subdivided into three, Type IIa is the removal of labia minora only, Type IIb is the partial or total removal of clitoris and the labia minora and Type IIc is the partial removal of clitoris together with the labia minora and the labia majora. Type III or infibulations, is the narrowing of the vagina; orifice with creation of covering seal by cutting and positioning the labia minora and/or the labia majora, with or without excision of the clitoris. Type IIIa also subdivided into two, Type IIIa is the removal or apposition of the labia, Type IIIb is the removal or apposition of the labia majora and Type IV: All other harmful procedures to the female genitalia for non-medical purpose, for example: pricking, piercing, incising, scraping and cauterization (WHO 2008 pp.24). Female circumcision is practice widely in Africa, some countries in Asia, Middle East and immigrant communities in North America and Europe (WHO 2008). It is practice and widely accepted by cultural groups and society due to number of reasons which include health and hygiene benefits, religious, traditional and gender related reasons (END FGM 2009 pp.8). Female circumcision marks the sexual debut of a woman. It also promotes identification in the culture or lineage group. Uncircumcised women prohibit in participating ritual rites such as burial rites and preparing food for the male members of the community with the circumcised women. Another reason for female circumcision is family honour, cleanliness because uncircumcised female is considered as unclean and unmarriageable. They also considered it as insurance to virginity and faithfulness (Althus, 1997). It is believed to stop sexual desire due to decrease sensation in the clitoris area (Womenshealth Website) and prevent extra marital affairs. Uncircumcised female tend to experience peer pressure and social stigma, harassment and being ostracize by members from their communities, this is why it is practice until today despite different programs released by various organization to stop this practice. Family members of uncircumcised female also experience this type of treatment. In Kenya, boys with uncut older sister may not be initiated as warriors (END FGM, 2009, pp.9). Female circumcision is often decided by parents or older family member, extended family members and not the female itself. It is considered important to raise the girl properly and to prepare her to adulthood and marriage (Yoder et al., 1999; Ahmadu, 2000; Hernlund, 2003; Dellenborg, 2004 as cited by WHO, 2008) because men in their community are expected to select circumcised female. Kuria, Maasai, Somali, Samburu and Kisii ethnic groups in Kenya is known to practice the female circumcision. It is usually accompanied with an elaborate ritual of initiation into womanhood. For other tribes, it is done to force on women as a form of retaliation or intimidation and it signifies a return of pre-colonial traditions and performs under medical supervision that confers social standing and prestige (UNFRA Website). Failure to conform to the norm means social exclusion from the tribe they belong, worst than punishment under the law.­­ Parents who conform to this norms mean no harm to their children, they think only the best interests of their children and fear if they do not do it, their children will be a social pariah or excommunicated in their society. Conforming to traditions of the society or group by participating in century old rituals making the tradition alive is a good thing also it prevents extra marital affairs and illegitimate child from being born. But due to health and psychological implication of female circumcision and is often violated the rights of women and children, it is best to prevent this practice. It has no known health benefits (WHO 2008 pp.1), it causes trauma to women due to lack of anaesthesia during the procedure, if anaesthesia is present it leads to further damage of the genitals due to lack of feelings. It has a long term effects that make the life of the women harder. It leads to infertility due to infections, causes reproductive damage and even causes death. Female genital mutilation violates principles, norms and rights that include principles of inequality and non discrimination on the basis of sex. It has been recognized as discrimination based on sex because it is rooted in gender inequalities and power imbalances between men and women and inhibits women full and equal enjoyment of their human rights. It is a form of violence against girls and women because it deprives them from making an independent decision about an intervention that has a lasting effect on their bodies and infringes on their autonomy and control over their lives (WHO, 2008, pp.9-10). These procedures are done to children and women ages 0-15 years old and without the aid of anaesthesia. Female circumcision is usually performs by a person without proper medical training with the use of instrument such as razor, knife, scissors and broken glass, the wound are close using thorns, sutures, matchsticks and twigs that eventually causes infection that leads to severe damage of reproductive system. Short term and long term effects of female circumcision are noted among the women who undergone the procedure. Excessive bleeding, septic shock, infections and sometimes death are among the short term effects. There is also a high increase of HIV transmission due to use of the same instrument with another contaminated person without sterilization. Physiological effect is also noted to the women who undergone the procedure, pain, shock and force applied during the procedure are the reason of trauma among the victims. Long term effects include physical, physiological and sexual effects (END FGM, 2009, pp.6). Physical effects include excessive scar tissues formation or keloid in the site of the cutting. Chronic pain is experience due to trapped or unprotected nerve endings. Infections such as urinary tract infection and infection of the reproductive system are also noted. Birth complications are also present depending on the severity of genital mutilation and danger to newborn. Physiological effects include fear of sexual intercourse due to pain, memory loss, post -traumatic stress disorder and anxiety depression. Sexual effect includes loss of sexual libido. Urinary and menstrual problems are also note, slow flow of menstrual blood and urine are experienced by women who are complete sealing off of vagina and urethra (WHO, 2008, pp.11). High risk during child birth is also reported. Women undergone type I, II and III has a high incidence of caesarean section and post partum haemorrhage than uncircumcised women (WHO, 2008). Due to number of reasons of health and psychological implications of female genital mutilation, various organizations such as WHO and UNICEF have been working non-stop to discontinue this practice in order to protect the human rights children and women. Works Cited Althus F. (1997) Female Circumcision: Rite of Passage or Violation of Rites. International Family Planning Perspective, 23 (3) [Internet]. Available from: [Accessed 24 March 2012]. Budiharsan M., Amalia L., Utomo B., and Erwinia (2003) Female circumcision in Indonesia [Internet]. Available from: < http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNACU138.pdf> [Accessed 24 March 2012]. ENDFGM Website (2009). Ending Genital Mutilation; A Strategy for the European Union Institutions [Internet]. Available from: [Accessed: 24 March 2012]. Horowitz, C. and Jackson, C. (1997) Female “Circumcision” African Women Confront American Medicine [Internet]. Available from: [Accessed 24 March 2012]. HRW Website (2010) Q&A on Female Genital Mutilation [Internet]. Available from: [Accessed 24 March 2012]. Oloo H., Wanjian M., and Jones-Newell K. (n.d.) Female Genital Mutilation practices in Kenya: The role of Alternative Rites of Passage A case study of Kisii and Kuria districts [Internet]. Available from: [Accessed 24 March 2012]. UNFRA Website (2010) Taking Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Out Cultural Mosaic of Kenya [Internet]. Available from: < www.unfpa.org/public/news/pid/5409> [Accessed 24 March 2012]. UNICEF (2005) Female Genitals Mutilation/Cutting: A Statistical Exploration [Internet], UNICEF. Available from: [Accessed 24 March 2012]. Vince G. (2005). Female Genital Mutilation can Cause Infertility. Newscientist.com [Internet]. Available from: [Accessed 24 March 2012]. WHO (2008) Eliminating Female Genital Mutilation [Internet]. Access from: [Accessed 24 March 2012]. Womenshealth Website (2009) Female Genital Cutting Fact Sheet [Internet]. Available from: [Accessed 24 March 2012]. Read More