What religion practices FGM?
Both Christianity and Islam honour women and girls. Both religions agree that God has created humans in the best form and the sanctity of the human body must always be protected from harm.
Which country has the highest rate of FGM?
Somalia
A number of Switzerland’s priority countries and regions in East Africa are affected by this problem. “Somalia, for example, has the highest rate of FGM in the world, with around 98 per cent of women having undergone the procedure,” explains Martine Pochon, regional protection adviser for the Greater Horn of Africa.
Is FGC religious?
In many settings, an important contribution to the practice of FGC is a religious obligation [31, 32]. Dictate of religion is an important reason (38.8% to 50.3%) for practicing FGC in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region [7, 8].
What is the cultural reason behind FGM?
FGM is associated with cultural ideals of femininity and modesty, which include the notion that girls are clean and beautiful after removal of body parts that are considered unclean, unfeminine or male. Though no religious scripts prescribe the practice, practitioners often believe the practice has religious support.
What religions do not believe in circumcision?
There is no reference to circumcision in the Hindu holy books, and both Hinduism and Buddhism appear to have a neutral view on circumcision. Sikh infants are not circumcised. Sikhism does not require circumcision of either males or females, and criticizes the practice.
What does the Quran say about circumcision?
Circumcision is not mentioned in the Qur’an but it is highlighted in the Sunnah (the Prophet Muhammad’s recorded words and actions). In the Sunnah, Muhammad stated that circumcision was a “law for men.” The main reason given for the ritual is cleanliness. It is essential that every Muslim washes before praying.
What is the most serious type of FGM?
Type III is the most severe type of FGM, known as infibulation, which involves the narrowing of the vaginal orifice with the creation of a seal that is formed by cutting and then stitching the labia minora and/or the labia majora with or without excision of the clitoris.
What is FGC female?
Main Points. Female genital cutting (FGC), also known as female circumcision or female genital mutilation, is an ancient practice that predates the Abrahamic religions. FGC is practiced in 28 African countries and some countries in Asia. Girls typically undergo FGC between the ages of 6 and 12 years.
What are the psychological effects of FGM?
Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) can affect a woman’s mental health long after the procedure, into her adult life. Women with FGM/C often show signs of psychological trauma: anxiety, somatization, depression, post-traumatic stress and other mood disorders.
How does FGM affect childbirth?
What are the consequences for childbirth? A recent study found that, compared with women who had not been subjected to FGM, those who had undergone FGM faced a significantly greater risk of requiring a Caesarean section, an episiotomy and an extended hospital stay, and also of suffering post-partum haemorrhage.
Is circumcision a sin in Catholicism?
While the Roman Catholic Church has condemned religious circumcision for its members, and currently maintains a neutral position on the practice of non-religious circumcision, it is customary in Coptic Christianity, Ethiopian Orthodox Church and Eritrean Orthodox Church, which keep it as a rite of passage.
How many women in the world have undergone FGM?
At least 200 million girls and women alive today living in 30 countries have undergone FGM. Female genital mutilation (FGM) refers to “all procedures involving partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.”[1] FGM is a violation of girls’ and women’s human rights.
Is there a connection between FGM and religion?
FGM and Religion. FGM is found in communities practising a variety of different religions, including Christianity, Islam and Judaism (Jews). Although FGM is not required by any mainstream religion, sometimes people mistakenly believe that it is their religious duty.
What was the definition of FGM in 1997?
The WHO, UNICEF and UNFPA defined FGM in 1997 as “all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons”. There are four WHO categories:
How does forward help women at risk of FGM?
FORWARD’s work with affected communities safeguards girls at risk of FGM and supports women living with the consequences – in Africa and practicing migrant communities in the UK and Europe. We engage directly with women and men in communities to raise awareness of the risks of FGM.