#womensday: Reasons to stop female genital mutilation

New Delhi: Female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as female genital cutting and female circumcision, continues to be a grave issue in many parts of the world, including India.

What is more heartrending about this ritual practice is that it is being done without any medical reason, causing intentional injuries to the female genital organs.

The procedures involve removing and damaging healthy and normal female genital tissue, and interfere with the natural functions of girls' and women's bodies.

FGM has no health benefits

The procedure has no health benefits for girls and women, instead it harms the individuals in many ways.

In fact, it can cause severe bleeding, urinary and sexual problems, and later cysts, infections, as well as complications in childbirth and increased risk of newborn deaths. The procedures can cause even death. The cruel practice can also cause psychological problems - depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, low self-esteem, etc.

Who is at risk?

As per the World Health organisation (WHO), more than 200 million girls and women alive today have been cut in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia where FGM is concentrated.

Procedures are mostly carried out on young girls between infancy and age 15, as well as occasionally on adult women. More than 3 million girls are estimated to be at risk for FGM annually.

WHO urges health professionals not to perform the procedures, which are a violation of the human rights of girls and women.

In May 2016, WHO in collaboration with the UNFPA-UNICEF joint programme on FGM launched the first evidence-based guidelines on the management of health complications from FGM.