Culture and religion often remain stagnant, resisting its people and surrounding to change for development. For the sake of culture andr eligion, various inhuman practices are being carried out. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is one of the most brutal activities which is happening to women. It is medically unnecessary and an irreversible procedure that not only affects her physically and sexually but psychologically too. There are various such practices in our past that has tortured, degraded women and children alike- sati, nikah halala, Purdah, johar, dowry and many more.
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), globally about 200 million girls alive today have suffered FGM (Female genital mutilation) over 30 countries. FGM is an oppressive practice seeking to control and destroy a women’s sexuality and violates her body, as she belongs to a particular social group thus transgressing human rights.
FGM violates women’s and children’s human rights, including their right to health, to be freed from violence, to life and physical integrity, to non-discrimination and many more. When young girls’ intimate areas are mutilated, they may bleed severely or become prone to serious infection, especially when unsterile cutting instruments such as knives or razors are used. The operation, which has no medical purpose, entails severe pain on young girls and can be life-taking. With an abundance of physical pain, it also leads to a dozen of mental and, emotional disorders which includes depression, anxiety, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychosexual problems, along with various mental sickness. And, if women, the pillar of society is not sound and safe, it will lead to the backwardness of society as a whole. The practice of FGM is not sanctioned in many countries and it has been too late and it’s time to uproot this menace from the society.
About 70% to 80% of women under Bohra community and its emigrants had suffered this demonic procedure socially known as khafz. This practice is kept publicly a secret but has a very strong and well functional system supported by the dogmatic cultural people of the community and family itself. The mother and grandmother play a vital role to ensure the transit the practice generation by generation. No one knows how many lives are remorsefully put to danger every day in India. Yet, we don’t have any strong legal procedure that could prove its existence and put it to end.
The provisions of Indian Penal Code and the rules protecting children from sexual offences penalizes it. After all, we are aware of the bitter truth of a society that only a law alone cannot disinfect bred-in-the-bone. It is us who could create and destroy this among ourselves. The medical community can act as Ace in this war against FGM. The health care workers and medical personals who ever interact with the victim or such person encouraging it, should transmit accurate information on the health effects of the practice, and must be aware to the outcome of the FGM.
We could not even imagine the pain and sufferings of a woman who had gone through it. But at least all the required medical suggestions and support should be made available to the sufferers and should also be able to treat the adverse effects resulting from FGM. People at personal and social level should spread the fact and consequences, which could include health and sex education programs, time to time medical survey camps, literacy campaigns related to traditional practices affecting health, compulsion of sex education in school and colleges, etc. and in the world of the internet and smart phones we just need to start spreading the good vibes and truth-based messages to society either in audio, audio-visual or text form via social media platforms. Government could add the pace to this mission by organizing various programs at national, regional, and local levels. The political parties in action could take strong and transparent steps to end FGM. ordering reproductive health, education, and literacy development organizations to make strategy for prevention of FGM. Government should completely ban this practice and should work honestly and sincerely to implement it by hundred percent. International human right treaties provide an important guideline for understanding FGM as a practice that constitutes violation of human rights. And it is important to ensure that the state does not fail to respect, protect and fulfill it.
Culture is belief and the way to live one’s life. It should ensure the security instead of misleading its followers to heartlessness. The argument is one in favor of universal rights, not identical practices, and hence, the diversity and uniqueness of culture will continue, which is the essence of multiculturalism.
Kumar Ayush
LN Mishra Institute of Economic and Social change, Patna