Leye, Els, et al. “Debating medicalization of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C): learning from (policy) experiences across countries.” Reproductive health 16.1 (2019): 1-10.
The paper overlooks the impacts of the medicalization of FGM on sustainable development, criminal justice, and health. Egypt, Indonesia, Kenya, and the UK are the countries engaging in the medicalization of FGM studied in the publication. The arguments for the medicalization of FGM are evaluated concerning human rights, medical ethos, and the criminal justice systems of the regions. The authors then demonstrate how FGM violates human rights with long-term effects and is unprofessional for medical care professionals. The paper ends with a recommendation of protecting human rights legislation by persuading against medicalized forms of FGM.
World Health Organization. Female genital mutilation: an overview. World Health Organization, 1998.
The World Health Organization defines FGM as all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia. The various classification of FGM is identified by WHO according to the medical procedures involved. The prevalence and distribution of FGM are identified across the globe. The immediate and long-term physical, psychosexual, and psychological health complications associated with FGM are highlighted. The medicalization of FGM is harmful, and WHO consistently and unequivocally advises against it. National and community actions recommended by WHO can be used to eliminate FGM by adopting national policies, establishing multiagency teams, research on FGM, rigid community outreach, and education programs.
Njue, Carolyne, et al. “Preventing female genital mutilation in high-income countries: a systematic review of the evidence.” Reproductive health 16.1 (2019): 1-20.
Different approaches and strategies to limit FGM are evaluated, ranging from primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention efforts. The publication is a qualitative analysis of peer-reviewed literature on intervention strategies, target audience, and findings. FGM has numerous effects on health and social outcomes for the affected women and girls that cant is terminated by the adoption of medicalization. The research pivots on the empowerment-oriented preventative measures that can eradicate FGM at national and local levels.
El-Gibaly, Omaima, Mirette Aziz, and Salma Abou Hussein. “Health care providers’ and mothers’ perceptions about the medicalization of female genital mutilation or cutting in Egypt: a cross-sectional qualitative study.” BMC international health and human rights 19.1 (2019): 1-12.
The study evaluates the perceptions about FGM by women and medical practitioners. In-depth interviews, simulated client approach, and focus group discussions are used to collect data in Egypt’s Cairo, Assiut, and Al Gharbeya regions. Most of the participants in the study relate the high incidences of FGM to social expectations and conformity to community customs and traditions. The perception that medicalized FGM is perceived as less harmful hence motivating the practice. Medical practitioners reframe FGM as cosmetic surgery to avoid legal consequences that may arise from the procedure. The legal, moral, and social norms influencing FGM are changing with the perceptions, but the underlying effects remain.
Waigwa, Susan, et al. “Effectiveness of health education as an intervention designed to prevent female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C): a systematic review.” Reproductive health 15.1 (2018): 1-14.
The study is a qualitative analysis of the efficacy of health education as a prevention measure of FGM. The paper evaluates twelve electronic databases and publications involved with health education as an intervention strategy. Of the publications, seven are quantitative, three are qualitative, and two used integrated methods. Health education programs are effective in curbing FGM since they influence collective change in behavior by altering cultural perceptions. FGM is healthcare and human rights tragedy spread across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and some regions of South America. Health education is an effective persuasive policy that can be used to prevent the practice of FGM.
Williams-Breault, Beth D. “Eradicating female genital mutilation/cutting: human rights-based approaches of legislation, education, and community empowerment.” Health and human rights 20.2 (2018): 223.
FGM is a form of discrimination against women outlined under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). FGM disempowers women and girls, thereby promoting other violent, non-equitable behaviors based on gender. Such gender-based violence can be managed through legislation, education programs, and change of agents within communities by the U.N. Over 3.6 million girls and women are affected by FGM globally, and the U.N is committed to creating more awareness of the issue. Education, community empowerment, legislation, and resistance are practical to abandon FGM. The programs must be community-led while considering cultural, socioeconomic, and ethnic ideological structures.