Unfortunately, eliminating FGM is challenging since politicians often support this practice or remain silent in order to win electoral votes among particular ethnic groups (i.e. However, the WHO is against the “medicalization” of FGM since health care providers themselves are “members of FGM-practicing communities and are subject to the same social norms”. For instance, ethnic leaders pretend to stop executing FGM on young girls, but they organize “alternative rite of passage festivals” as a disguise to perform FGM.įurthermore, there are cases where FGM is “medicalized” by involving health care providers. Despite the laws adopted to end FGM, a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation cannot be halted immediately. This act aims to “protect the dignity and integrity of women in matters pertaining to rape, defilement, sordomy, sexual harassment, incest, female genital mutilation, child abuse and child trafficking.” The Tanzanian Government also adopted a “National Plan of Action to end Violence against Women and Children” to terminate all forms of violence against women and girls.
In 1998, Tanzania officially declared FGM as an illegal act by enacting the Sexual Offences (Special Provision) Act 1998. Tanzania is no exception to such a hostile procedure. In fact, more than 200 million women and girls have undergone FGM, and they are from countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Hence, the World Health Organization (WHO) is an advocate of anti-FGM because this practice is not only extremely harmful for the health of women and girls, but it is also an international human rights violation.
It has been proven that FGM can lead to “severe bleeding”, problems with urination, “later cysts”, “infections”, and “complications in childbirth and increased risk of newborn deaths”. Instead, FGM is performed mainly due to tradition, rite of passage, and preparation for marriage. However, studies have shown that FGM has no particular health benefits. By: Macy Janine Pamaranglas – Art in Tanzania Internįemale genital mutilation (FGM) refers to a procedure of removing a female’s external genitalia either partially or completely it can also be any other form of injury to the female’s genitals.
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