Female Genital Mutilation
More than eight million women and girls are at risk for having their genitals mutilated. In other countries around the world, women and children go through this gruesome procedure. It is called infibulation, which consists of cutting out the clitoris and labia. After the procedure, the vagina is secured with thorns and sewn with catgut or thread. A small opening remains for passage of urine and menstrual blood. On their wedding night, infibulated women must be cut op
Recently, Senegal became the latest country to make this practice a crime. It is estimated that more than a million Senegalese will go to jail. Hilary Clinton stated "Now this voluntary change - this "great movement" , has been stalled by resistence to changing the custom under force of the law, which sets prison terms of six months to five years for anyone practicing female circumcision or influencing others to do so". It is predicted that most Senegalese that still perform the procedure, expect to defy the ban. 1. Cesar, Chelala Lancet, 7/11/98, Vol. 352 Issue 9122, pg.126 "An Alternative Way To Stop FGM" Realisticly, people believe that female genital mutilation is a barbaric practice performed on females. Although up until a few decades ago, the clitoris was viewed as a dangerous part of the female anatomy. Sigmund Freud stated, "The elimination of clitoral sexuality is a necessary precondition for the development of feminity". Times are changing rapidly and peoples views are beginning to change. This procedure has entered the United States by immigrants still holding on to the customs of their culture. At the beginning of this year, the United States could not do anything about these cases. 2. Hecht, David Christian Science Monitor, 2/4/99, Vol.91 Issue 48; pl." When a Law Sweeps In, Transition Lashes Back" Many foreigners feel overwhelmed by this law being imposed on them. This is causing them not to hear the educational aspects supporting this ban, such as health concerns, and the dangers of an unsanitary, and damaging procedure. Americans believe that this law is now causing them not to hear the pleas to stop the mutilation. Change is believed to come through education; not enforcing laws. The problem of male circumcision is a drawback for the law.
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1365
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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