Female Genital Mutilation.

What is Female Genital Mutilation?

Imagine being taken to a room in a dark decrepit building. Imagine being pinned down on the floor.
Imagine your underwear being taken off. Imagine seeing a knife being heated on the gas stove.
Imagine the same hot knife slicing your clitoris. Imagine young girls shrieking in pain

The terms female genital mutilation and female genital cutting, frequently abbreviated as FGM
or FGC, refer to cutting the external female genitalia for any nonmedical reason. Depending on local
or cultural customs, that might mean a small nick on the clitoris or rubbing a razor against the clitoris
or labia minora, it can also entail the removal of all the external genitalia and sealing of the entire
area, leaving just a small hole for urination. FGM is defined by the WHO as "all procedures that
involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital
organs for non-medical reasons".

What is the root of these bizarre activities?

According to UNICEF report : Female genital cutting has always been seen as an ancient ritual
practiced in Africa and to a lesser extent in the Middle East, but a new global assessment
documents for the first time that it is widespread in one of the most populous countries in
Asia: Indonesia, where almost half the women are estimated to have undergone it.

There has long been anecdotal evidence of the practice there, but the United Nations
Childrens Fund estimated that 60 million women and girls there have been cut based on
national survey data collected by the Indonesian government. The addition of Indonesia is
largely responsible for raising the global tally of women and girls who have undergone the
practice to 200 million from 130 million, and the number of countries where it is
concentrated to 30 from 29.

The time period when FGC first originated is uncertain but it is widely acknowledged
that this practice predates both Christianity and Islam and may be over 2000 years
old. Greek geographer, Strabo, reported while visiting Egypt in 25BC that one of the
Egyptian customs was to circumcise the males and excise the females. Some
scholars citing evidence of FGC found on Egyptian mummies, have noted that FGM
was practised in ancient Egypt as a sign of distinction among aristocracy. Greek
physicians visiting Egypt believed FGM was performed to reduce a womens sexual
pleasure thereby controlling her sexual behaviour.

UNICEF estimated in 2016 that 200 million women living today in 30 countries27
African countries, Indonesia, Iraqi Kurdistan and Yemenhave undergone the
procedures.
The following countries have the highest number ofoccurrences of FGM: Djibouti (98%), Egyp
t (97%)Eritrea (95%),Guinea(99%) Mali (94%),Sierra Leone (90%), and Somalia (98- 100%).
And this has become the attention for the whole world wide.

The Statistics will be more clear from the chart mentioned below :
Types of Female Genital Mutilation ( FMG)

The World Health Organisation (WHO) describes four types of FMG:

Type 1: Clitoridectomy
 In this practice, the clitoris is partially or completely removed. The clitoris is the most sensitive
erogenous zone of a woman and the main cause of her sexual pleasure.

It is a small erectile part of the female genitalia. Upon being stimulated, the clitoris produces sexual
excitement, clitoral erection, and orgasm.

Type 2: Excision

The clitoris and labia minora are partially or completely removed. It may also include the removal of
the labia majora. The labia are the lips that surround the vagina.

Type 3: Infibulation

The vaginal opening is narrowed, and a covering seal is created. The inner or outer labia are cut and
repositioned. This practice may or may not include the removal of the clitoris. Other procedures
include cauterizing, scraping, incising, pricking, or piercing the genital area, for reasons other than
medical purposes. This happens mostly in Africa and other countries (not in India)

Type 4

The WHO describes this type as "all other harmful procedures to the female genitalia for non-
medical purposes" and includes practices including pricking, piercing, incising, scraping, and
cauterizing the genital area.

Complications of Female Genital Mutilation :

Removing normal, healthy genital tissue does not provide any health benefits, and undermines a
woman's natural functions. It can also lead to complications. The exact number of fatalities due to
FGM is not known, but in parts of Somalia where there are no antibiotics, it has been suggested that
1 in 3 girls who undergo the operation die because of the practice.

Complications that can occur during or soon after FGM procedures include:

bleeding
bacterial infection
open sores in the genital area
urine retention and other urinary problems
damage to nearby genital tissue
severe pain, possibly leading to a loss of consciousness

Common long-term complications include:

recurrent bladder infections

cysts
infertility
increased risk of newborn deaths
higher rate of childbirth complications
There may also be a need for further surgery.

If the opening has been narrowed, it will need to be reopened before marriage to enable sexual
intercourse and childbirth. In some cultures, this opening and narrowing is done several times
throughout a female's life.

FGM : A human right issue

The practice has been widely condemned and campaigns including the 'International Day of Zero
Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation' have been supported by the U.N. and Unicef.

As most procedures are carried out on young girls, it is also a violation of children's rights.
The WHO write:

"Female genital mutilation also violates a person's rights to health, personal liberty, security and
physical integrity, the right to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment,
and the right to life when the procedure results in death."

In 2008, the World Health Assembly passed a resolution on the elimination of FGM, calling for action
by all those involved in justice, women's affairs, education, finance, and health.

Does this practice happens in India

also?

The cruel practice of female genital cutting or female genital mutilation (FGM) is not happening
only in far away Africa. Its not just being practised in tribal societies. Young girls aged six and
seven are regularly being cut right here, in India. Mumbai abounds with untrained midwives who
continue to scar young girls from the Dawoodi Bohra community, a Shia sub sect.

About Dawoodi Bohra

Reason why we are just pointing out Dawoodi Bohra community is that statistics show that it is
practiced mostly in Dawoodi Bohra community
In India, it is widely practiced by the Dawoodi Bohra community, a sect of the Shia-Muslims, who are
led by the Syedna. Locally termed as Khatna, this practice has no medical justification at all. Some
of the reasons include family honor, increasing sexual pleasure for the male, enhancing
fertility, social acceptance (especially for marriage) and preservation of virginity/chastity. The
Dawoodi Bohras are a sub group within the Mustaali, Ismaili Shia branch of Islam. Indias Dawoodi
Bohra community has been so closeted about its practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) that its
recent disclosure shocked even womens rights activists. It was the highly publicised criminal trial of
the FGM of two Bohra girls in Australia, in 2010 and 2011, which shattered the secrecy around this
practice. Following investigation and trial, the mother of the girls, the midwife and a Bohra priest in
Australia were sentenced to 15 months in prison in 2016.

They are a Shia Muslim sect that migrated to India from Yemen in the 12th century. Their custom of
FGM probably originated in Yemen as its still a widespread practice there. The Bohra population is
only about one million in size, with most settled in western India, and smaller communities in other
countries.

Perhaps what shocks most is that this practice is being carried out among the Bohras who are
regarded as a progressive, prosperous and well educated community. In fact, the Bohras are proud
that their daughters are encouraged to excel in their education and jobs in much the same way as
their sons. Most Bohra women are not veiled and choose modern, western attire and lifestyles. Even
the burkha of Bohra women, called the Rida, is designed to reflect the communitys view of itself
as being innovative and progressive. The Rida leaves the face uncovered, with a flap as option, and
instead of the conservative black, it is always in bright colours like deep pinks, reds and greens, with
lace and designs.

The Bohras practice Type-I FGM which involves the partial or complete removal of the clitoris or
clitoral hood. The clitoris is referred to as the Haram ki boti or sinful piece of flesh a recognition
of its biological role in womens orgasms and libido. Even though FGM is called Khatna or
circumcision, which is a coming of age social ritual and frequently discussed and debated among
women in other communities, what makes it odd among the Bohras is that it appears to be an
extremely clandestine procedure.

The following data shows the age at which Khatna or circumcision is performed
Story of the witness of FGM

Masooma Ranalvi ,who was one of the founding members of Organization SAHIYO was cut 42
years ago but says the day is etched in her mind. She narrates her personal story haltingly but with
clarity. My mum told me come; Ill take you out and buy you chocolates. I happily went with her.
She took me to Bohri mohalla (in Mumbai), a cluster where 90% Bohras live. We went into this dark
decrepit building. I remember being taken into a room. The curtains were drawn. She said lie down.
Like an obedient child, I lay. My grandmother was holding my hands. An oldish woman pulled down
my pants I started crying. Grandmom said dont worry, it will be over in a jiffy. I shrieked in pain I
experienced a sharp, shooting pain and she put some black powder there I came home and cried
and cried and cried...

For a long time, Masooma did not understand what had happened to her or why she had been cut.
The realisation that she had been so betrayed shattered her. The reasons why khatna is so common
in the community shocked her.

Contribution of the society in FGM.

As Aristotle said it earlier that Man is a social animal. But how can anyone think that this society
will form taboos like this. It has been found in the survey that most females allow them to be
circumcised because of the fear that the people will disown them from their society and they have
to follow these norms because it was been there from a very long time.

I would like to quote one line here The most dangerous thing in this language is Weve always
done it in this way.

Moreover, this bizarre activity leave a very deep impression in ones mind. As I have stated one story
(discussed above) circumcision happened to her 42 years ago and she still remembers the incident.
Psychologically it impacts a female and the result of which is either they go in depression or lives her
whole life in fear.

A survey done Sahiyo (which works for FGM) shows the statistics of the mental state of females
immediately after Khatna and emotional impact on adults after Khatna:
A Pinch of Skin
A Pinch of Skin is a documentary where females of Dawoodi Bohra community discussed
about FMG and they said that it is very much necessary to do this, without which they are
not be called as Muslim. If a girl wants to marry a boy,then circumcision of a girl must be
done. This helps to control the desires of the women, as it is strongly believed that women
have more sexual desires than men, and this helps in controlling womens sexual desires.
Moreover ,they believe that if womens sexual desires are curbed then extra marital affairs
and all these kind of things can be cured. Even the most educated people in their sect,who
are medical practitioner by their profession believe that this should not be banned and it is
medically not harmful. Some believe that it is written in the Islamic texts or we have been
doing this since long time so we have to follow it blindly without knowing the actual cause
of it. Some also discussed that this circumcision is to be kept secret within the community
,even women dont talk about this , men are even not aware what has happened to the
females of their community. Some women bear this unnecessary pain because they that
they will be disowned by their community. Here are some statistics that shows how often
women discuss about Khatna and explanations heard for Khatna

Islamic Interpretation on FGM (Religious Interpretation)

The following quotation is taken from Reliance of the Traveller, Revised edition,
amana publications, Beltsville, 1997. The title page informs us that this book is

The Classic Manual of Islamic Sacred Law Umdat al-Salik

by Ahmad ibn Naqib al-Misri (d. 769/1368) in Arabic with
Facing English Text, Commentary, and Appendices
Edited and Translated by Nuh Ha Mim Keller

In this book, in the section titled "THE BODY", we find on page 59 the following
entry:
 Nuh Hah Mim Keller's Translation

e4.3 Circumcision is obligatory (O: for both men and women. For men it consists of
removing the prepuce from the penis, and for women, removing the prepuce (Ar. Bazr) of the
clitoris (n: not the clitoris itself, as some mistakenly assert). (A: Hanbalis hold that
circumcision of women is not obligatory but sunna, while Hanafis consider it a mere
courtesy to the husband.)"

The above used abbreviations mean:

A: ... comment by Sheikh 'Abd al-Wakil Durubi

Ar. Arabic
n: ... remark by the translator
O: ... excerpt from the commentary of Sheikh 'Umar Barakat

Arabic Original:

However what the Arabic actually says is:

Circumcision is obligatory (for every male and female)

by cutting off the piece of skin on the glans of the penis of the male,
but circumcision of the female is by cutting out the clitoris
(this is called HufaaD). {bold emphasis ours}.

Whereas some other study state that it is not Religious practice but a Cultural one
because it is said that circumcision happens in other countries before the origin of
Islam , so it has nothing to do with Religion

Female friend SAHIYO

 In 2015 a group of women launched Sahiyo meaning female friend, an online platform that aims
to create a safe, women-supported space for Bohra FGM survivors to share their personal stories
and to lobby support via a petition for a law to ban FGM in India. As there is no law in India banning
FGM, a survey by Sahiyo indicates that the ratio of Bohra girls who have been subjected to FGM
could be as high as 80 per cent. The survey also includes Bohra women in the US, UK and Australia.
After India, the second highest proportion of women in the survey, 31 percent, are in the US. Aarefa
Johari, one of the co-founders of Sahiyo says it is never talked about even among girls and women.
Testimonies from Bohra women, discussed in agonising details, show the procedure is carried out
by impoverished women practitioners,(who probably just need the income) in unhygienic
environments, using a razor blade without anaesthesia.

Is FGM is banned across the world?

In December 2012, the UN General Assembly adopted a unanimous resolution on the elimination of
FGM. Across the world FGM is being outlawed in many countries. Nigeria and Gambia recently
made FGM illegal after women came together, campaigned and raised their voice. FGM is banned in
over 20 countries in Africa itself.

Is there any law in India ?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) classifies FGM as a violation of the human rights of girls and
women. According to WHO, FGM reflects deep-rooted inequality between the sexes, and constitutes
an extreme form of discrimination against women. It is nearly always carried out on minors and a
Human Right Violation .In Australia, three Dawoodi Bohras were held guilty of FGM recently by the
Supreme Court of New Wales, Australia. The case was closely watched by the Dawoodi Bohra
community in India.

A report released on female genital mutilation (FGM) in India recommends sensitization measures to
prevent the "heinous practice" and calls for a separate legislation. It is a procedure which "cannot be
justified as a religious practice", said the report prepared by Lawyers Collective, a human rights NGO,
and Speak Out on FGM, a group of survivors.

The 57-page report analyses various gender-based legislations existing in India and highlights the
need for a separate law to deal with the issue. "There is no specific mention of FGM in our laws and
the practice largely goes unnoticed. The report conceptualised by senior lawyer and women's
activist Indira Jaisingh spells out a road map of measures needed to be taken. There should be a
helpline to conduct awareness programmes in schools, it says. "Ward committees, panchayats and
civil society groups should coordinate with each other effectively to sensitize the Bohra community
and conduct safety audits. Specific duty may be cast on the religious or community leaders to carry
out such awareness generation programmes. Education, rehabilitation and awareness building are
essential for a sociological change as social reforms through education are as critical as legal
interventions, said the report. The NGO said it welcomes a recent statement by Maneka Gandhi,
minister women and child development where she said, "the custom of female genital mutilation
(FGM), practised by the Dawoodi Bohra community, is a criminal offence and if the community does
not stop it voluntarily, the government will bring in a law to ban the practice." Masooma Ranalvi,
convener of Speak Out said the report titled Female Genital Mutilation A Guide to Eliminating the
Practice of FGM in India said "a law against the practice would serve as a strong deterrent in the
otherwise law abiding Bohra community."It has also been seen, internationally, that it has proved
necessary to have a specific law dealing with the subject, which addresses not only prosecution but
also prevention, education, awareness building, relief and rehabilitation,'' the report said.

Supreme Court take on FGM

The Supreme Court issued a notice and sought a detailed reply from the Centre and several states
over the issue of ban on female genital mutilation practiced among Muslims of the Bohra
Community. A bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Keher and also
comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and D. Y. Chandrachud issued notice to four states-
Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Delhi.

A lawyer, Sunita Tiwari filed a petition against the practise of FGM to place a complete ban on FGM
as it is the violation of Fundamental Right under Article 21 which states that No person shall be
deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law. And also
Article 39(a) of Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) which states that The state shall,in
particular, direct its policy towards securing : that the citizens ,men and women equally, having the
right to an adequate means of livelihood.

Under Section 326 of Indian Penal code (IPC) this act is punishable as it states Voluntarily causing
grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or meansWhoever, except in the case provided for by
section 335, voluntarily causes grievous hurt by means of any instrument for shooting, stabbing or
cutting, or any instrument which, used as a weapon of offence, is likely to cause death, or by means
of fire or any heated substance, or by means of any poison or any corrosive substance, or by means
of any explosive substance, or by means of any substance which it is deleterious to the human body
to inhale, to swallow, or to receive into the blood, or by means of any animal, shall be punished with
1[imprisonment for life], or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to
ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Under Section 9 of POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) this act is punishable under
Aggravated sexual assault under Section 9(h) as it states whoever commits sexual assault on a child
using deadly weapons , fire , heated substance or corrosive substance ; or

Section 9(i) states that whoever commits sexual assault causing grievous hurt or causing bodily
harm and injury to the sexual organs of the child

CONCLUSION

Implications for ending FGM

It is imperative to have clear understanding of the scale and scope of FGM around the globe so that
policy makers, health professionals,advocates contribute in the ending of FGM. It is a practise which
is highly woven in the fabric of social networks and tied to cultural norms and values and these
values are deeply rooted in the Dawoodi Bohra community. Understanding the age at which girls
typically undergo mutilation in this community can typically help child protection professionals
typically help in aiding those girls.

In 2016, as the topic of Khatna within the Dawoodi Bohra community gained media attention ,for
the first time, religious authorities provided public statements regarding the continuation of this
practice. The head of the religious community ,Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin , made a public speech in
April 2016 stating that the act must continue , discreetly for girls, implying that Dawoodi Bohras
must secretly practise it even countries where it is illegal.

A separate faction of Bohras , under the leadership of Syedna Taher Fakruddin condemned FGM and
called it unislamic and horrific practice. Yet this religious leader also maintained that Khatna , as
mentioned in the Dawoodi Bohra religious book Daim al- Islam,is different from FGM and should be
done electively after a girl reached adulthood. Fakhruddin stated that Khatna is akin to clitoral
unhooding procedure which is medically or legally sanctioned in many countries and is done to
enhance the sexual pleasure of women and not to suppress it.

Future Research
After reviewing the literature,it is clear that there is a depth of knowledge about the physical,
psychological and sexual ramifications of Type 1 FGM as it is performed by Dawoodi Bohras. Both
Sahiyos study & the Islamic Relief Canada study indicated that there was a lack of awareness
regarding the female anatomy amongst survivors who underwent the practice.

Data collected in the survey indicated that the survey participants believe that men were aware of
the practice of FGM. Considering FGM is often thought to be a symbol of patriarchal oppression of
women, future research should include surveys of men to see if they were actually aware of FGM
occurring amongst their female relative. If the future reports show that men do not support FGM,
then men could become an important ally in ending FGM within this community and also there
should be anti FGM law against this practice of FGM.