Female Genital Mutilation: Harmful Activity & Infringement - Essay Sample

Introduction

According to the WHO, Female Genital Mutilation refers to any partial or entire nonmedical cutting of external female genitalia that may lead to an injury to the woman genital tissues. This activity is usually conducted for traditional reasons without the approval of the Girl. It may also be undertaken without a more comprehensive understanding of the procedure and risk they are exposed to. World Health Organization posits that Female genital mutilation is a harmful activity and an infringement of women and girls right. The organization has also classified it as a practice of gender-based violence (Wilson, 2014, pg. 12). In 1997 WHO categorized female genital mutilation into four groups, which were followed by subsequent subdivisions. The selection of this categorize informed by the severity of the damaged tissue, the amount of tissue destroyed, and the health risk associated with the performed act (Types of female genital mutilation, 2020). This practice is usually performed as a mark of transition from childhood to adulthood.

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According to Yoder, Wang, and Johansen (2013), Sierra Leone has a high prevalence rate of Female genital mutilation, where the price of prevalence for individuals aged 15-49 exceeds 90%. The practice is entrenched in the values and traditions of Sierra Leone and cuts across all socioeconomic statuses, all ethnic communities with the exclusion of Krios Christians (Refugees, 2020). The people of Sierra Leone view FGM as a mark of women transition into adulthood. FGM in Sierra Leone is conducted by two secret societies, namely the Bondo and the Sande. Sande operates in the southern part of Sierra Leone while the Bondo operates in the northern part of the country and the capital city Freetown (Refugees).

It's a requirement for a female to be introduced into a secret society. This introduction will enhance her to be communally recognized and to qualify for marriage. A woman can only become a member of Bondo, which declares one qualified for marriage through losing their clitoris. Only members of Bondo are allowed to find a husband as they are the only people who qualify for marriage. Men can only marry from individuals who have undergone the FGM ceremony. Girl's Girl's age for undergoing the practice is dependent on her ethnic group.

The UN reported that there were cases where although FGM is practiced on teenagers; however, young girls and babies were also victims of the practice. Older women are not exempted from FGM practices in Sierra Leone. Refugee (2020) refers to a 2007 Writenet report which reported that fully grown adults were being subjected to female genital mutilation to become part of Bondo or Sande

According to Wilson (2014, pg. 19), 90% of Sierra Leone women belonging to seventeen ethnic groups are members of Bondo secret society. The group prohibits its members from revealing the practices by having secrecy laws that outline supernatural and physical sanctions for women who break the law. Refusal to undergo FGM means that you are categorized together with men. Those who fail to practice FGM cannot discuss Bondo issues, and punishment is set for non-Bondo members who break its law.

FGM in Sierra Leone is very significant as it gives women political power and community status. Thus the practice is not viewed as a form of injustice by the women in Sierra Leone. Wilson (2014, pg. 19) reported that those women who failed to undergo FGM were discriminated against and received pressure to be initiated from the community and their peers. Those individuals who fail to experience the practice are termed as foolish, childish, and impure by their ethnic communities. According to Abdulcadir et al. (2011), women who refuse to perform the practice are labeled as misfits in society, which renders them unable to get married. He further argued that the effects caused by this labeling lead to the continuation of FGM in these societies. These make women join the Bondo group to enjoy the prestige of being an entirely accepted member of the community.

Bondo is in charge of all women meetings in the community, which makes girls join it. The non-members are not able to receive information about child-health initiatives as it only spread to those who have undergone FGM. According to The General Assembly of the United Nations, FGM is a self-enforcing social norm as it is an upheld behavioral rule where individuals practice it. It further argued that individuals and families would observe FGM as people believe that they are expected to do it by society (Wilson 2014 pg. 12). The acceptance that comes along with FGM makes members enjoy privileges and benefits linked to those cultural groups. Most of these groups are highly honored among African families as they perceive the breaking of traditions as angering God (Abdulcadir et al., 2011).

Female genital mutilation makes women respected, gains women roles, and gains a sense of community. Wilson (2014, pg. 20) argued that Bondo membership is the only avenue that women used to do a task outside the home without their husband's permission. During Bondo, women undergo teachings on how they are supposed to treat their husbands as well as how to behave (Carroll, 2020). Abdulcadir et al. (2011) argued that the only method for members who adhere to tradition to maintaining respect within the community was through the observance of the tradition. He further asserted that an individual's failure to observe FGM was an unacceptable deviation from the community's social customs.

References

Abdulcadir, J., Margairaz, C., Boulvain, M., and Irion, O., 2011. Care of women with female genital mutilation/cutting. Swiss Medical Weekly,

Carroll, L., 2020. Sierra Leone'sLeone's Secret FGM Societies Spread Silent Fear And Sleepless Nights | Lisa O'carrollO'carroll. [online] the Guardian. Available at: <https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/aug/24/sierra-leone-female-genital-mutilation-soweis-secret-societies-fear> [Accessed 9 June 2020].

Refugees, U., 2020. Refworld | Sierra Leone: The Practice Of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM); The Government'sGovernment's Position With Respect To The Practice; Consequences Of Refusing To Become An FGM Practitioner In Bondo Society, Specifically, If A Daughter Of A Practitioner Refuses To Succeed Her Mother. [online] Refworld. Available at: <https://www.refworld.org/docid/4b20f02bc.html> [Accessed 8 June 2020].

Who.int. 2020. Types Of Female Genital Mutilation. [online] Available at: <https://www.who.int/sexual-and-reproductive-health/types-of-female-genital-mutilation#:~:text=Female%20genital%20mutilation%20(FGM)%20comprises,organs%20for%20non-medical%20reasons.> [Accessed 8 June 2020].

Wilson, A.M., 2014. Country Profile: FGM in Sierra Leone, 2014.

Yoder, P.S., Wang, S. and Johansen, E., 2013. Estimates of female genital mutilation/cutting in 27 African countries and Yemen. Studies in family planning, 44(2), pp.189-204.