Underlying Reasons for the Persistence of Female Genital Mutilation

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as the custom has spread historically, it has always throughout history occurred in different shapes and adjusted to local cultural relations 47 . Today there are varying meanings and explanations for FGM. In the different communities where FGM is practiced, the procedures physical extent or cultural meaning, as the girls’ age and the actual practice varies. When it comes to the girls’ age it can vary from new-born baby to marriageable women. 4.2 Various perspectives on the practice of FGM According to E. Dorkeeno referring to research papers, interviews and testimonials, there are different perspectives and motives behind FGM. They are generally categorized into four groups: psycho-sexual, religious, sociological and hygienic. These perspectives and motives vary in different communities where FGM is practiced 48 . Psycho-sexual: Different opinions surrounding FGM have been discussed, all from it being merely based on superstitions to deeper analysis that points to a complex set of ideas which grounds a social system 49 . The prevention of promiscuity and the preservation of virginity underlie some of those grounds. Some societies believe that if the clitoris is left intact, a woman will become oversexed, meaning that she cannot control her sexuality, and seek to men other than her husband. It has even been told to young adolescents that the clitoris may be dangerous during child birth because it can lead to death. Similar perceptions exist on the belief that both the female and male sex exists within each person at birth, the clitoris representing the male, and the foreskin representing the female sex. Therefore is should be removed in order to determine the real sex of the child 50 . Consequently women become frightened by their sexual organ and wish to remove it. However this determines the age of the women and the awareness of the ritual. When performed on infants or when a child is unaware, it is most likely the influence of the parents that wish to have their child circumcised. Often the reason for any type of circumcision is the ‘attenuation of sexual 47 Berggren,Franck, Kvinnlig Könsstympning, p. 28 48 Dorkeeno, Cutting the rose, p. 34 49 Ibid, p. 34 50 Ibid, p. 35 21
desire’. On women the excision is focused upon the removal of the clitoris, which is where her sexual pleasure is coming from. The reason behind which, is to kill sexual feelings amongst women to make them satisfied with their husband, and he is guaranteed that she will not engage in outside marital affairs 51 . Religious: As mentioned before, it is important to note that FGM is not a religious practice. The practice is pre-dated the arrival of Christianity and Islam in Africa and is not a requirement in any religion or religious writing. It is rather based on the interpretation of the people and is practiced by Christians, Muslims, Jews and Indigenous religious groups. Sociological: Other scholars explain the practice in terms of initiation rites of development into adulthood. It has social significance for females becoming a woman. In many areas in Africa an elaborate ceremony surrounds the event and is rich in rituals and symbolism, with special songs and dances intended to introduce the young girl to her duties and how to become a good wife and mother 52 . Failure to perform FGM can in some communities result in shame and exclusion, and the girl may in some cases not be likely to be considered for marriage or child bearing which is an important social status for women in these societies 53 . Hygiene: In some African countries such as Egypt, Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia, the external female genitals are considered dirty. The purpose is to have the hair and all extended genitals removed to have a smooth skin surface and therefore you have a clean body. It is also considered that the female genitalia, when not cut, is ugly and disfigured, to the extent of beliefs that the clitoris may grow and hang between ones legs. However, the effect of the procedure gives the unhygienic 51 Ibid, p. 35 52 Ibid, p. 39 53 Inncenti digest, Changing a harmful convention, p. 1 22
Page 1 and 2: Exempel 11, sid 4-5 Underlying Reas
Page 3 and 4: ABBREVIATIONS FGM UNICEF WHO CE
Page 6 and 7: 1. INTRODUCTION Female genital mut
Page 8 and 9: is in no way based on religious bel
Page 10 and 11: 1.4 Aims and objectives The purp
Page 12 and 13: 1.8 Disposition The study is divi
Page 14 and 15: 2.1 Qualitative case study rese
Page 16 and 17: young girl that herself had undergo
Page 18 and 19: 3. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK The pra
Page 20 and 21: organizations and intergovernmental
Page 22 and 23: obliged to form and adjust domestic
Page 24 and 25: human rights and therefore the disc
Page 28 and 29: consequences of the urine and menst
Page 30 and 31: It is through this organization I h
Page 32 and 33: three or four years old when her gr
Page 34 and 35: many regions that practice/practice
Page 36 and 37: morals and fundamental rights, publ
Page 38 and 39: 5.2 Discussion FGM is internation
Page 40 and 41: likely to have the practice stop in
Page 42 and 43: 6. CONCLUSIONS Throughout this ess
Page 44: Reliabilitet Validitet 2011, retrie

Underlying Reasons for the Persistence of Female Genital Mutilation

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