Leo Dudziak
HLS 301G Human Sexuality
Library Research Project
6/21/2015
1. Religion and Sex
2. International Human Sexuality Issues
Female genital mutilation
Female genital mutilation is a ritual removal of some or all of the external female genitalia. The practice of female genital mutilation is concentrated in 27 African countries. Although cases are found in other countries those 27 countries compose a vast majority of worldwide female genital mutilation. It is an appalling tradition that is practiced for religious and cultural reasons. There are four types of female genital mutilation according to The World health organization. Type 1 is partial or total removal of the clitoris. Type two partial removal of clitoris and labia minora. Type three is narrowing of the vaginal orifice and type 4 is any other harmful procedure to female genitals for nonmedical purposes. 85% of women who have had female genital mutilation have had type one or type two performed.
The practice significantly affects females the sexuality of those that have had it performed to them. Woman can be severally affected because removal of part of the vagina or clitoris has many negative physical and psychological affects. The physical effects that can happen are severe bleeding, problems urinating, cysts, infections, infertility as well as complications in childbirth and increased newborn deaths.
Female genital mutilation can take some or all pleasure away from sex. It also reduces orgasms and can take away their rights as females to have children. Female genital mutilation is a violation of human right that The World Health Organization views a deep rooted inequality between the sexes. It is carried out usually on minors and affects sexual development.
Overtime the view on female genital mutilation has changed significantly the first time that female genital mutilation