IndexTHE HISTORYTYPES OF FGMWORLD PREVALENCE OF FGMANTHROPOLOGY MEDICAL Works CitedAccording to the World Health Organization (WHO), female genital mutilation (FGM) is defined as "all procedures involving the partial or total removal of the genitals external female or injuries to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons". Different people, with different disciplines, have used about three terms to refer to the practice of removing part of the female genitalia due to both traditional beliefs, values ​​and attitudes. Human rights groups and health advocates use the term female genital mutilation (FGM) primarily to emphasize the effects associated with the practice, i.e. physical, emotional and psychological consequences. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Activists use the term Female Genital Cutting (FGC) with emphasis on the dangers and finally, another term used is Female Circumcision (FC) which, does not include the harm associated with the practice. In other words, many activists believe this term is misleading and ignore the invasive procedure associated with it due to the vivid comparison with male circumcision regardless. THE HISTORY The origin of the tradition of female genital mutilation is not clearly known but its practice dates back at least to 2000 years. Many people believe that FGM was commonly practiced in ancient Egypt and represented a distinction among the aristocracy. Scholars believe that it primarily began during the rise of the slave trade as women entered Arab societies. Some people believe that the basis of FGM occurred with the arrival of Islam with a connection with Arabs in some sub-Saharan African countries. Some believe the practice developed within different ethnic groups especially in sub-Saharan Africa as a sign of puberty rites. They viewed FGM as a way to ensure women's virginity and reduce the chances of fornication or reduce female desire. Overall, the practice of FGM appears to date back to ties with Africa and the fusion of the Islamic religion. It is clear that this evolved within primitive communities that wanted to exert power or control over women, particularly over women's sexual behavior. The practice of FGM refers to the technique the Romans performed on women that involved “slipping rings through the labia majora of slaves” to prohibit or prevent them from becoming pregnant. I understand that during the slave trade, both male and female slaves had to follow and do everything their masters ordered them to do. But in these modern generations (after the abolition of the slave trade), with advanced education, the presence of universal human rights, many activists raise people's awareness of the importance of respecting and protecting human rights and countries around the world who work towards the goal of promoting world peace, harmony for every person give these primitive communities the right to continue practicing FGM, with what they justify their actions. Being a woman, seeing other girls and their rights taken away from them, causing endless pain and unbearable consequences, all in the name of prioritizing traditional values, beliefs and attitudes or for religious reasons, is simply a clear and wrong manifestation of gender inequality. .TYPES OF FGM There are various ways or methods used for FGM in different parts of the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), FGM is classified into four types that describe different processes orprocedures used throughout the world. “Type I; includes partial or total removal of the clitoris and/or foreskin." This is also known medically as a clitoridectomy and is the most common type practiced in Iraqi Kurdistan. “Type II is a more invasive procedure that includes partial or total removal of both the clitoris and labia minora.” It is also known as excision and is mostly performed with or without cutting the labia majora. “Type III is the most serious type of FGM, it involves the narrowing of the vaginal orifice with the creation of a seal that is formed by cutting and then stitching the labia minora and/or the labia majora with or without excision of the clitoris. " This is also known as infibulation. Finally, "type IV includes puncture, piercing, incision, scraping and cauterization." This involves all harmful procedures of the female genitals. Internationally/globally, FGM procedures type I and II are the most famous or commonly practiced and account for approximately 85% of all four types. Girls are subjected to these procedures between birth and the age of 15, however FGM is said to occur at all ages. age, even into adulthood. In some cultures, especially in Africa, FGM is essentially justified to initiate girls into adulthood as a way to test or establish their ability to marry. WORLDWIDE PREVALENCE OF FGM With reference to WHO , there are more than 140 million girls and women around the world who have experienced or undergone these procedures. To better understand the term FGM and the reasons justifying this harmful practice, we need to explore the countries or places in the world where FGM is practiced. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), female genital mutilation is practiced in more than 27 countries on the African continent and in some parts of Asia, Malaysia and Indonesia. In the West, it is more common among immigrants to North America, Europe, and Australia. In these countries the practice of FGM is justified with references to various socio-cultural factors. People in the communities say that the practice is rooted in local culture and that this traditional ritual is passed down from generation to generation. Preservation of culture and cultural identity are “the underlying impetus for continuing the practice. Other justifications are linked to gender roles and the "perception of women and girls as custodians of their family's honor", which is linked to "rigorous expectations regarding women's sexual 'purity' and lack of desire". MEDICAL ANTHROPOLOGY “Female Genital Surgery: The Known, the Unknown and the Unknowable” – the article discusses genital surgeries and the various harmful effects of such practices, particularly examining the health complications and serious impacts on a woman's health Sexuality Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is not something new in this modern era, it is a practice that has been around for many generations and years ago. Many different cultures around the world perform these traditional surgeries that are performed on the genital area of a woman. Many people have pointed out that such practices deprive women of their rights; among them scholars, religious leaders, doctors, politicians, activists, lawyers and ethicists, to name just a few, have condemned the practice of FGM in recent years. decades. Everyone has worked hard in different fields to put an end to such cruel acts towards women in light of protecting their rights. Medical experts have advocated for an end to these procedures due to the extremely harmful effects that remain on girls and women who undergo this”/