Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a tool to take control of sexual autonomy before and after marriage. In other words, the virginity of a woman has to be passed through certain filtered procedures. It is a patriarchal device to subordinate the woman and is prevalent in numerous forms only to render much-traumatized pain. It is just a curse that a tender girl goes through without any reason.
FGM is practised in various ways. In clitoridectomy, a kind of FGM, the clitoris is partially or wholly removed. In excision, the clitoris along with labia-minora is partially or completely removed. In other forms of FGM, the genital parts are stitched together in such a way so that it would be reopened later (probably at the time of marriage or childbirth). Again, it will be followed by a shutdown.
WHO also includes under the category of FGM, piercings, scraping, mutilating of female genital parts, which are equally harmful and derogatory. This horrible non-criminal practice (khatna) which signifies cutting the unwanted parts of female genital organs has been continuing since medieval times, commonly in Africa, East Asia, along with few other communities across the world.
The physical loss mostly results in acute post pain in the affected areas along with unbearable pain at the time of mensuration. The pain also continues until the time of sex and childbirth. There must be a reason for this heart-wrenching practice. Since medieval times, some rigid community relates it to the purity of a woman. In other words, the sexual urges of a woman were being curtailed. Sanctity and chastity are the best possible reasons for this harmful practice. The monopoly of a man to suppress a woman in terms of physical and mental aspects is seen even in the sexual pleasure of a woman.
Let’s discuss the mental health of a woman in FGM cases. We can imagine what type of trauma and sudden depression, she has been left to suffer. The deep infliction with an unforgettable scariest memory often haunts a maiden. This scar remains with a girl until her death. Most of the FGM, done in an unhygienic condition, leads to inflammation, infection, and swelling. and a lifetime of depression and mental illness. In India, a few indigenous communities practice such rituals in the name of tradition and dignity of their culture.
I urge and pledge to everyone not to practice such disgraceful behaviour to which our conscience or even our Constitution strictly prohibits.