Abstract:-
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a term used to describe various traditional practices, including partial or complete removal of external female genitals for cultural and traditional reasons in many African as well as the Indian and Asian countries. This study addresses this concept of practice by examining various beliefs that support its continuation.
This study focuses on the experience of women who are more knowledgeable about practice, examines flashbacks, procedures, pre- and post-disconnection results, cultural beliefs, religious beliefs about practice, and 4, 444 human rights injured by practice of female genital mutilation.
The survey shows that female genital mutilation is no longer just a practice in the African community. Female genital mutilation has spread to other 4, 444 regions of the world and has become a global problem due to rising immigration rates and the pursuit of better living standards. In this study, FGM was practiced on girls and women because of the cultural belief that female genital mutilation (FGM) is used to represent a rite of passage from childhood to adulthood it turned out to be.
To promote marriage preparation and other responsibilities of married women, including caring for husbands and giving birth to children. Other results of female genital mutilation revealed by the study include physical, psychological, and social effects that occurred before and after the female genital mutilation process. In summary, according to Law, female genital mutilation is a criminal offense because it causes pain, violates the human rights and health of women, and puts girls at risk. Giving people in the community knowledge about this topic and providing the resources they need, the helps eliminate this practice.
Introduction:-
The subject of my research is female genital mutilation (FGM). Female genital mutilation refers to various genital surgeries performed on female and girl where part or all of the external genitals are removed. This practice causes genital injury in 4, 444 women for cultural or non-therapeutic reasons (WHO 2010). A well-preserved secret, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), has launched an online campaign in which several women from the Dawoodi Bohra community have come together to plead for opposition to this religious ritual, with intervening in the Prime Minister.
When I asked him to do it, he recently got a lot of public attention in India. And declare it illegal. But this wasn’t the first time FGM had made headlines around the world. Earlier in Somalia, supermodel Waris Dirie himself was a victim of FGM, strongly opposed the spread of this nasty practice in African countries, and explained that it was a complete violence against an innocent girl. She launched a campaign against this by establishing the Desert Flower Foundation in 2002. The spread of FGM is not limited to the border between India and Somalia.
In fact, it is estimated that approximately 200 million girls and women have undergone female genital mutilation in approximately 30 countries around the world (“Women genital mutilation and amputation-UNICEF data”). It is practiced primarily as an ancient tradition in various communities in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. In addition, due to the significant increase in the number of immigrants, FGM is becoming a rapidly growing practice in Europe, North America , Australia and New Zealand (Rushwan, 2013). In India, it is practiced as a religious ritual by the Dawoodi Bohra community.
They are a subgroup of Shia Muslims who emigrated from Yemen to the Indian subcontinent in 12th Century. The world population of this community (Dawoodi Bohras) is 4, 444, estimated at 1, 117, 200. They are mainly based in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and have a population of 1, 113, 000 , (2300) and (1900) respectively (“Bohra | Joshua Project”, no date). In India, it is mainly settled in the western part of, namely Gujarat (694000), Maharashtra (270000) and Madhya Pradesh (127000). Female genital mutilation is a practice that has been widely practiced in this community for generations and is commonly referred to as female Khatna or female circumcision.
Purpose of the study:-
The purpose of this study is to introduce female genital mutilation into the field of social work and social services as one of the social issues of women and young girls originating in developing countries. The problem spread to other European countries as immigrants carry it around as part of their culture. For this reason, this study aims to educate community development professionals about the effects of female genital mutilation and address multicultural issues that affect children and families. In addition, the practice violates the human rights of women and girls in the context of child protection and women’s rights, so professionals must be ready to intervene at any time.
Research methodology:-
The study has a doctrinal character and an analytical approach. The research will depend on both primary and secondary sources. There are many other sources such as political opinions, debates, comments by various authors, books, magazines, websites on the internet, laws, etc.
1. Primary Source: The primary sources used in this research include the laws including various Commission Reports.
2. Secondary Source: Data is collected through various sources like internet, journals, articles, newspapers and magazines.
Research Question:-
Female genital mutilation is one of the most dangerous acts leading to torture and the death of a person who has undergone surgery. There is not much knowledge about those who practice female genital mutilation that is, the practitioners of the practice and the who are undergoing the practice. Girls and women don’t know much about human rights. On the other hand, those who do not practice FGM tend to view FGM in many ways as a violation of the human rights of women and girls. On the other hand, those who practice female genital mutilation do not consider it an infringement of the rights of women and girls, but rather a rite of passage from childhood to adulthood and part of the tradition to follow increase.
Researcher seeks to find answers to the following questions :-
1. What is the reason for practicing female genital mutilation?
2. How does female genital mutilation violate the rights of women and children?
Literature Review:-
Due to the confidentiality of the topic, there is not much research or writing on female genital mutilation (FGM)internationally or throughout Africa. A little information is readily available through the internet and books for anyone who can read and write and have access to a computer. Still, in African countries where this practice is widespread, especially in remote areas, people find it difficult to access information. This is because does not have the resources it needs, such as enough money to buy the tools that people need to get frustrated with this practice and access the information they need for poverty. However, not many people support the practice of in the areas where it is practiced, as it is part of their tradition that all members of society must practice.
In 2004, the Human Rights in Finland carried out a project called “kokonainen” (whole women) for social and medical professionals. The main idea of Project was to recommend ways for social and healthcare professionals to deal with cases of FGM. The purpose of this project was to prevent FGM and promote the care of women and girls suffering from FGM in the past (Finnish League for Human Rights 2004).
Effects of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM):-
The World Health Organization (WHO 2008) has documented some of the effects of female genital mutilation on the health of women and girls. This includes deaths from bleeding. Extreme pain from amputation. Traumatic stress caused by having to experience and severe infections caused by the tools used. Other effects include urine retention, damage to adjacent organs, heavy bleeding, painful sexual intercourse, complications during labor, and painful periods. In a female genital resection study involving 28, 000 participants, of them were victims of female genital resection, but other problems such as cesarean section risk and postpartum bleeding in severed women It was pointed out that was reported more frequently. In types I, II and III while comparing to a those who were not connected person (WHO2008).
Female genital mutilation and sexual intercourse:-
One of the main reasons for female genital mutilation in many societies in Africa is the belief that it controls the sexual impulses of women and young girls.. According to Amnesty International (1997), amputation of a woman’s genitals in terms of women and gender causes torture in most amputated women. Sex is overly painful and can even endanger a woman’s life. Infected women can experience painful sexual intercourse throughout their lives without seeking medical advice. In cases without pain, there is no feeling of sexual satisfaction. The clitoris is an important organ for experiencing sexual pleasure and orgasm in women . Clitoridectomy adversely affects the sexual performance and satisfaction of many women who have undergone FGM treatment.
Human Rights and According to FGM:-
According to (USAID 2004), female genital mutilation was first recognized in 1948 within the framework of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on the United Nations Agenda. It was considered a harmful tradition in the 1970s and 1980s, and in of the United Nations Women’s Year from 1975 to 1989. Efua Dorkenoo (1994) states in a study (prior to 2002) that female genital mutilation is a clear demonstration of gender human rights violations aimed at managing the sexuality and freedom of women. Internationally, this practice is recognized as a form of torture and violence against women and girls.
WHO, some international organization, considers FGM to be a violation of human rights. World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Health Association, United Nations Population Fund. For example, WHO (1996) made an effort to combat FGM by officially opposed to FGM practice and classifying it as a violation of human rights. Similarly, in 1993, the United Nations adopted Statement supporting the use of the term “female genital mutilation” to describe clitoral mutilation, infiltration of, and other FGM-related practices.
● Right to be free from all forms of discrimination against women:-
According to Article 1 of the Women’s Convention “Discrimination against Women” , which is based on genital mutilation, this definition is a practice that affects women and girls. Including girls should enjoy the fundamental rights of, depending on their sexual demands. The pain it causes and sexual dissatisfaction violate the rights of women.
● Right to life and physical integrity, including nonviolence:-
Female genital mutilation affects right to life in mortality due to the resection process with regard to the right to physical integrity, this practice is the freedom and safety of women and girls, as women and girls are unknowingly circumcised before they reach the age at which they can decide for themselves whether or not they need a mutilation.
● Infringes the rights :-
If the congregation believes that a woman needs to change her body, that means ugly. Secondly, in this case, respecting the dignity of a woman means accepting her physical qualities, the natural appearance of the genitals and normal sexual function.
● Children’s Rights:-
Female genital mutilation is considered by many researchers to be an infringement of children’s rights. In areas where it is practiced, it is practiced by children aged months to 17 years. Looking at the 4, 444 affected people, they meet the definition of “children”, taking into account factors such as age as 16.
● Right to Health:-
In accordance with international human rights law, everyone has the right to enjoy the highest level of physical and mental health
that can be achieved. FGM is associated with complications that adversely affect the physical and emotional health of women and girls. Exposing a person to a health risk without medical need, as in FGM’s case, is a violation of that person’s rights. By not taking medicines during the procedure , and if the victims are infected, they will not be allowed to go to the hospital. It’s a way to violate these people’s right to health.
● Minority Rights:-
International Human Rights Law recognizes that members of minority groups are racial. Ethnic, religious, or linguistic people are entitled to special protection so that they can protect their culture from interference and discrimination. In Africa and around the world, FGM is practiced by a minority and not by everyone in this society. Looking at the non-African countries in which this practice exists, it is more common among the minority immigrants of that country. In such cases, the majority who oppose the practice has power over the minority, and the minority needs legal protection.
● Religious Freedom Right:-
Religious Freedom Right is an important human right for all. The Universal Declaration of Human Right, protects freedom of thought’s conscience and rights to religion. The issue of religious freedom arises because some religious institutions practice FGM as a religion. There is no FGM support in the Quran, but many African communities where Islam is practiced believe that the FGM is part of their religion. Therefore, it is considered an infringement of their religious rights to interfere with the practice of these religions in order to cease them.
● What does religion say about female genital mutilation?
Not all acts in the name of Islam are Islamic. Many acts are done for purely cultural reasons, but can gain Islamic legitimacy over time, especially in the Islamic community (Asmani & amp; Abdi, 2008). The law is considered Islam only if it is grounded in one of the basic sources of Islamic teaching, such as, which refers to Islamic religious texts, and Judaism does so. No mention is made of any of the Shari’a laws relating to women that are mentioned in the Islamic rules. Al-Azhar, the Supreme Council of Islamic Studies and the highest religious authorities in Egypt have issued a statement stating that FGM has no basis for in either core Islamic law or its partial provisions.
Bohra’s and Dawoodi Bohra
They also stated that it was harmful and should not be practiced (UNICEF, 2007). As for Indian Muslims, the sections other than the Bora community are not involved in FGM practice and all of them believe that Islam is banned. According to Masooma Ranalvi, it is not explicitly mentioned in the religious book Daim-ul-Islam of the Dawoodi Bohra community. However, the Dawoodi Bohra community is tightly controlled by their religious leaders, who they call Syedna.
All Bohra people are obliged to pledge allegiance to Syedna and seek his permission on all religious, personal, professional and family issues. Disobedience to Syedna can result in severe penalties for the community, including:- Not allowed to pray at the mosque, burying parents, forcibly divorcing, being severely expelled by families, physical harm and obstruction of business or career.
Some voices have been raised against FGM and some countries (Australia, UK, US, etc.) have banned it, but Syedna in a public sermon in Mumbai in 2016, Bora Community. Ordered to “stay” and continue this religious practice. Recently, India is increasingly seen as a hub for conducting FGM on foreign Bohra girls. This is mainly due to the recent proceedings against FGM between the Australian and US bolus and the lack of anti-FGM law in India. However, anti-FGM advocacy, media attention, and increased instructions from religious authorities have forced practices underground in India.
Conclusion:-
Given the wide range of ethnic and religious groups involved in female genital mutilation, is a traditional practice rather than a religious practice. It has been observed that while a particular subgroup is enthusiastic about FGM, other related subgroups in the same community do not think it is necessary. Also, of the Islamic believers in India, the Dawoodi Bohra community is the only section involved in female genital mutilation, which it considers to be a major religious practice, while the other sections of Islam are Islamic. Is considered to be completely banned by.
With opposition to FGM gaining momentum around the world in recent years, women in Bora should oppose this deep-seated, regressive practice of otherwise progressive communities and declare FGM illegal. This seems like a difficult path to take without the consent of the Bohra priest, but the change certainly began with voices against practice.
● Note:-
In this research paper titled Female Genital Mutilation (FGM):-Impact on women and young girls is based on available international research paper published literature reviews, website articles, website URLs, books, articles and other facts and figures, as a college student I have not changed or changed anything reference material or thesis content in a negative or incorrect manner and concluded the research with a conclusion within the framework of ethics for peace and harmony.
By Akansha Chakraborty Intern at Fastrack legal solutions
● References:-
– Amnesty International 1997. What is female genital mutilation.
– Amnesty international 2010. Report on Human Rights
-UNICEF 2005. Changing harmful social convention: Female genital Mutilation/cutting, coordinated strategy to abandon Female Genital Mutilation.
-Universal Declaration of Human Rights (USAID) 2004. Bureau for Global health report, Strategy for ending female genital cutting
-WHO 1996. Female genital mutilation, report of WHO technical working group. Geneva World Health Organization. WHO 1998. Female Genital Mutilation .An overview, Geneva. World Health Organization
–Asmani, I. L., & amp; Abdi, M. S. (2008). Delinking Female Genital Mutilation / Cutting from Islam. Population Council. Washington DC. FGM from Islam ænal report.pdf).
–Bohra | Joshua Project. (n.d.). .
-Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting – UNICEF DATA. (n.d.).
