THE HISTORY, SEXUAL, AND REPRODUCTIVE CONSEQUENCES OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION ON WOMEN: A FOCUS ON SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Doris Chioma Njoku, Aldossary Heba, Udochukwu Njoku

Abstract


Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is a widespread contemporary and societal issue that is associated with severe health and social complications. It is estimated that over 200 million girls and women are living with FGM/C globally, particularly in the Sub-Saharan Africa where the procedure is predominantly practiced. With the use of historical descriptive method, this work will interrogate the inextricably linked sexual and reproductive health consequences of FGM/C on women from the African region. In its arguments, the paper adopted a framework predicated on the theory of culturalism. The research reveals that FGM/C has resulted to several problems such as: sexual and reproductive health problems/concerns (dyspareunia, reduced sexual desire, pleasure, orgasm and satisfaction, obstructed labour, prolonged labour, fistulas, vaginal infections and need for caesarean section), perceived socio-cultural norms and social pressure, pain and fear, inadequate information, rejection and isolation. Women also suffer from both emotional and psychological distresses following their traumatic FGM/C experiences and abandonment by spouses, families, friends and members of the community due to the development of FGM/C complications such as obstetric fistulas. Therefore, the provision of holistic care and comprehensive cultural-sensitive anti-FGM/C interventions is a sine qua non for health practitioners and policy makers respectively in order to meet the needs of the affected population.

Keywords


Human Sexuality, Reproductive Health, Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting, Womanhood, Sub-Saharan Africa.

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