Trial Shows Need to Combat Female Genital Mutilation

     Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a common practicing act in Africa today. The Humans Rights Watch group stated that Egyptian authorities need to make a clear action to end FGM following the first death of a thirteen year old girl. The girl died in 2013 due to an allergic reaction to penicillin, used in the genital mutilation procedure and shock or circulatory failure. The case was then taken to trial to raise awareness of the harms of FGM and to highlight the need for implementing the law in a more serious matter.
     Although FGM is banned in Egypt, it is still practiced "due to lack of investigations, prosecutions, and convictions," stated Rothna Begum, a researcher for women's rights in the Middle East and North Africa. FGM includes removing part or all of the external female genitalia. This procedure has no medical purpose or health benefits and interferes with natural function of the body. The procedure can lead to long-term consequences, including severe pain, shock, infection, complications during childbirth and long-term gynecological problems.
     This incident has raised awareness to promote effective implementation of the law by ensuring adequate investigation and prosecution to those who practice the FGM procedure. It has also raised awareness on the mental and physical harm. FGM was first banned in 2008 after an eleven year old girl died after a procedure. A health survey in 2008 found that 91% of girls and women (age 15-49) had undergone FGM. The survey also found that the women believed it was a religious requirement.
     As a young woman myself, I can not imagine going through a procedure like this, let alone willingly doing so. It also astonishes me how little precautions they take regarding allergic reactions and shock that can lead to death. As a nurse, I can say that allergies are something that are really stressed in our practice to check for. I can't imagine how they think that FGM is part of a religious requirement and how they think it benefits them. I can only think that it would cause more problems. This article was definitely eye-opening to me. I knew this practice existed, however, I didn't know how popular it was.

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