Female Circumcision: Why It's Prohibited by WHO and Its Harmful Effects

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), often referred to as female circumcision, is a practice involving the removal of part or all of a woman's external genitalia. It is usually performed on girls from infancy to 15 years of age. In the UK, FGM is considered child abuse and is internationally recognized as a violation of children's human rights. In Indonesia, the Ministry of Health, in line with the Indonesian Ulema Council, issued a circular letter in 2006 emphasizing the prohibition of female circumcision by healthcare professionals. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that over 200 million girls in various countries have undergone female circumcision.

The procedure of FGM comprises different types. Current estimates, based on surveys of women aged 15 and older, indicate that approximately 90% of cases involve Type I, II, or IV FGM, while around 10% involve Type III FGM.

Types of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

1. Type I: This type involves the partial or total removal of the clitoris, known as clitoridectomy.

2. Type II: Type II entails the partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia (the inner and outer folds that surround the vagina).

3. Type III: Commonly referred to as infibulation, Type III involves the sewing of the labia together to narrow the vaginal opening.

4. Type IV: Type IV encompasses various procedures that damage the female genitals for non-medical reasons, including piercing, cutting, scraping, and burning.

Health Consequences of Female Circumcision

1. Infections: Women who have undergone Type III FGM are more susceptible to infections and diseases like urinary tract infections, bacterial vaginosis, and HIV. FGM causes vaginal tissue damage, increasing the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

2. Sexual Problems: Type II or III FGM results in vaginal dryness and painful sexual intercourse, reducing sexual desire. The vagina becomes less elastic, making it difficult to stretch during intercourse or childbirth.

3. Menstrual Issues: Some women who have had Type III FGM experience pain and prolonged menstrual periods due to inadequate vaginal openings.

4. Urinary Problems: Type III FGM can obstruct normal urine flow, leading to urinary tract infections.

5. Fistula: FGM can lead to fistulas and abnormal connections between bodily cavities, causing urinary incontinence and other issues.

Female circumcision is not performed for medical reasons and carries significant health risks. The Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection emphasizes that female circumcision is a hazardous practice that solely targets women and girls. As a form of human rights violation, it must be swiftly eradicated.

Reference:

Kementerian Pemberdayaan Perempuan dan Perlindungan anak Republik Indonesia. (2020). Upaya-upaya pencegahan praktik sunat perempuan menjadi tanggung jawab bersama [Online] https://www.kemenpppa.go.id/index.php/page/read/29/2787/upaya-upaya-pencegahan-praktik-sunat-perempuan-menjadi-tanggung-jawab bersama#:~:text=Larangan%20medikalisasi%20sunat%20perempuan%20juga,yang%20melarang%20khitan%20terhadap%20perempuan

NHS. (2022). Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) [Online]  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/female-genital-mutilation-fgm/ 

Women’s Health. (2021). Female genital mutilation or cutting [Online]  https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/female-genital-cutting

World Health Organization. (No Date). Prevalence of female genital mutilation [Online] https://www.who.int/teams/sexual-and-reproductive-health-and-research-(srh)/areas-of-work/female-genital-mutilation/prevalence-of-female-genital-mutilation

World Health Organization. (2022). Female genital mutilation [Online] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/female-genital-mutilation