Cut

I had first heard of FGM a few years ago, stumbling across the topic completely on accident and began researching. Surely it had to be illegal - no. Surely it had to only be happening in the East - no. Surely it had to only be happening to Africans or those who identified as Muslim - no. This is a cultural practice that is not limited to religion or location, though it is said to have began in ancient Egypt. FGM was at one point limited to the East, mainly Africa, but thanks to globalism it is now an issue in every country. In my country, the United States, the legalization of FGM is left up to the states, my state has no consequences for this abuse, while others do. Though it is still most common in Africa, certain African countries and tribes have made this practice illegal. In countries like England, not only is FGM illegal, but strong moves have been made including CYS, clinics, deinfibulation practices, and much more to combat FGM. There are 3 most common types of FGM that I've included a chart of, and only in the last 5 years a new type had been created that involves bleeding the clitoris to reduce the desire for pleasure in women. The list of horrific consequences that follow FGM is a long one, and the women who have gone through this procedure not only suffer immeasurably physically, but mentally as well in forms of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and a strong feeling of a missing piece that will never be recovered. Many of the women who carry on the tradition with their own children don't know why they do it other than it being a tradition that guarantees a girl will remain a virgin until she's married. Unfortunately for these women, if their husband refuses to let them be deinfibulated, it will not only mean excruciating pain during sex, but it will mean death for her and her child when she is unable to deliver through such a small opening if an episiotomy isn't immediately available. The continuation of educating medical professionals, mandated reporters, law enforcement, and leaders in order to take preventive measures to ensure the cycle of FGM is broken and eradicated is the only way to end this. 10/10⭐