Female Genital Mutilation in the UK - Research Paper Example

Female Genital Mutilation in the UK Number) July 4, (Faculty Female Genital Mutilation in the UK Introduction Female genital mutilation (FGM) is an unhealthy practice that involves cutting off the female genitals based on cultural, social and even religious beliefs. Female genital mutilation has been a demonstration of violence against women which has in fact never been effectively controlled. This is because there are still reported cases of several women caught in quite a predicament given that they live within cultural communities where in which they are bound to FGM (Weil 2006, Herzi 1990). FGM is an outlawed cultural tradition that infringes upon the rights of women to psychological, physical, emotional, and social health and must therefore be changed for the better. This study is important because it reveals the reality behind female genital mutilation which is presumed ‘extinct’ by most people yet very much alive in the UK. Statistical evidence from the National Health Service (NHS 2014) reveals that an estimation of at 20,000 number of girls below 15 years are at risk of FGM each year and about 66,000 number of women are facing the consequences of FGM. However it is imperative to acknowledge that most FGM cases in the UK are tied to populations of communities who practice FGM such as those in Birmingham. These could be a group of refugees or immigrants of the first generation. Analytical Literature Review Catfur (2012) reveals that female genital mutilation in the UK was outlawed about 30 years ago and facilities set across hospitals in England to help those who had already been mutilated. Ironically, statistics reveal that the rate of FGM is on the rise yet no one has ever been prosecuted in the court of law. This is a demonstration of law ineffectiveness to help high population that is at risk. The UK government has also failed in informing people about FGM practice more so in learning institutions where most potential victims are found (Catfur 2012). People don’t really talk about FGM as if it does not even exist yet it keeps loosening the social bond between men and ladies in a number of communities within the UK. Perhaps the government is not entirely to blame after all; it is quite difficult for the authorities to tell when someone was mutilated until the time when they are about to give birth complicating law enforcement against the perpetuator. Or probably the mutilation was done out of the UK soil and furthermore conducting checks on children based on their health records to see whether they are mutilated is in itself child abuse (Catfur 2012). The motives behind practicing FGM are based on cultural, religion, health, and social arguments. Apparently, these arguments originate from African, Middle Eastern and Asian based communities where FGM is prevalent. For instance, Herzi (1990) is an African story that reveals how FGM is covered by lies about how it is a health oriented practice yet in real sense it is a way of preserving a girl’s virginity. The practice itself is in-fact unhealthy and against the pleasure of a woman to have sex. Catfur’s quest to find out why FGM is practiced in the UK yielded contrasting results. She learnt that cultural ties such as men demanding to marry circumcised women happen to be architect of FGM. On the contrary when men were asked about the same they blamed women for reaching out to FGM in order to protect their daughters against premarital sex, a response which takes us back to Herzi’s story. Probably this is the chief reason as to why FGM is practiced yet hidden behind cultural and religious purification. It appears to be their way of ensuring that girls don’t get exposed to premature sex and contract diseases or conceive at an early age. But is this the way to escape all these traps? It seems more like evading one problem to be consumed by another because the entire practice is unhealthy, horrific and infringe against human social principles as Catfur found out that the two sexes in Birmingham rarely interact. Repercussions FGM repercussions are indubitably severe and bring about untold discomfort in the life of victim women. They include psychological and emotional torture, health complications, as well as social challenges. It is even more painful that the people to whom this inhumane act is done never even ask for it in the first place and that it is done against their will under deceit. FGM induces psychological and mental problems in the sense that mutilated women cannot take their minds over the feeling of parental betrayal which in turn induces regrets and anger. “Case histories and personal accounts taken from women indicate that FGM is an extremely traumatic experience for girls and women, which stays with them for the rest of their lives.” (NHS 2014). The repercussions of FGM are also evident in the severity of long term effects which include abdominal periods, pelvic and chronic vaginal infections, experience of difficulty when it comes to passing urine, scar tissues forming, flashback at the time of child birth and the need for surgery during child delivery (NHS 2014). These are permanent health problems that are to live with the victim for the rest of their lives in the name of cultural or religious purification or for whatever reason it was done which don’t seem to add up to anything good altogether. Other complications such as flashback during child birth and surgery at birth could lead to death. Other repercussions however do not take long to appear. This include severe pain during the operation, shock and loss of blood, wounds being exposed to infectious diseases such as tetanus and HIV, injury of vulva tissues, and damaging of organs nearby as the urethra because the activity is always conducted by nonprofessionally trained local ‘doctors’ (NHS 2014, Catfur 2012). It is so shocking that some perpetuators of this particular crime do not know that the act is illegal in the UK because the enforced laws against the activity have never been exercised against anyone and the subject is barely raised in public. So to some extent, ignorance of the authorities as paved way for the progress of FGM in the UK. Those who know about the illegality of practicing FGM in the UK take their children back to their native homes abroad where they get mutilated and only come back with the girls once their wounds have healed. In such a case it is hard to tell what happened to the girl when she gets back. Strategies for Change In order to achieve change the government of UK is currently collecting every bit of information related to FGM through Health and Social Care Information Center (HSCIC) on behalf of NHS England so as to help support the efforts against FGM. However this alone is not enough for a highly rooted criminal offence as FGM. Points of weaknesses should be identified and worked on so as to bring an end to FGM. The strategies for change in this case involve setting up statutory guidelines, establishment of joint implementations, funding the entire FGM eradication, prevention and control process, and most important of all showing concern to those at risk of being mutilated. It is only through great concern about putting an end to FGM and effectively sticking to laid down strategies that change will be achieved. Conclusion and Recommendations This study has extensively covered an analytical literature review and revealed the perceived nature of FGM alongside reality. Most of the repercussions bound to FGM and a highlight of some of the most possible strategies for controlling, preventing and eradicating FGM alongside what the UK government is doing on the subject have also been covered. FGM happens to be a horrific and barbaric action taken against the will of a woman because they are never okay with it at the end of the day. The female child of a mother who has undergone FGM is believed to be at risk but checking to ensure they are safe is yet another challenge. FGM in the UK is deeply rooted that controlling it alone would require a different mettle. Informing the public more about FGM and making people talk about it quite frequent is a milestone towards prevention, control and eradication of female genital mutilation in the UK. References Catfur, B. (2012) BBC: Female Genital Mutilation In The UK - a hidden world July 2012. Retrieved on June 16, 2015. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wc9ALTwqnH8&feature=youtu.be Herzi, S. (1990) Against the Pleasure Principle. Half a Day and Other Stories: Moran (E.A) Publishers Ltd. ISBN 9789966340856. Weil, E. (2006) What if It’s (Sort of) a Boy and (Sort of) a Girl? The New York Times. Retrieved on June 15, 2015. Retrieved from: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/24/magazine/24intersexkids.html?pagewanted=a&_r& NHS (2014). Female genital mutilation. National Health Service choices. Last reviewed on June 27, 2014. Retrieved from: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/female-genital mutilation/Pages/Introduction.aspx Read More