FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW

Abstract

Female genital mutilation is a violation of the human rights of women and girls as recognized in numerous international and regional human rights instruments. It is a barbaric practice which inflicts a great deal of pain on the girls who go through it, this practice has no known medical 

stopped. 

What is Female genital mutilation? 

Female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as Female genital cutting (FGC) or female circumcision is a cultural and ritualistic practice which involves the removal of either a part of or whole of external female genitalia. It is predominantly performed in the Sub Saharan countries and north eastern countries of Africa as well as in the middle eastern countries and some parts of Asia. It is a medieval ritual which is deeply ingrained in the societies which practice it and has an everlasting effect on the person who goes through it. The procedure is commonly performed upon girls anywhere between the ages of four and twelve as a rite of passage. In some cultures, it is practiced as early as a few days after birth and as late as just prior to marriage or after the first pregnancy.  

The Procedure  

The procedure is often performed by midwives who in most cases use tools like razors, scissors, knife, shards of glass and a piece of cloth. In most of the cases the woman or the child is not given any anesthesia. There are even health professionals who perform it.