FGM vs abortion

“The Planting of Girls” is a documentary by Viola Shafik that explores the reasons, conditions and consequences of female genital mutilation (FGM) or female circumcision in Egypt. This practice has been outlawed in many countries, although still practiced in secret in a few. In the documentary there was a doctor who explained the biological and medical aspects of this practice, and also a woman from an NGO who educated local women on the basics of how their bodies and minds work in reference to sexual behavior.

Informing women about the risks and educating them about the real consequences of this historical practice is the best way to persuade them to end the practice. The philosopher Rousseau said that just because a practice has historical legacy does not make it right. Educating the women who were brought up in a culture that condones the practice and continue it might make them realize that they are the ones who have the power to stop it.

During the documentary it was mentioned that in places where FGM is illegal it is still done but under worse conditions. Instead of going to a hospital that has sterile equipment and a skilled doctor, girls are instead mutilated in dirty homes with tools that are not meant for medical purposes with a higher risk of infection and death. When this point was brought up it reminded me a lot of the abortion debate in the United States. In states where it is illegal abortions are still performed, however in a less safe and less clean environment, putting girls at even more risk.

I also noticed a correlation between FGM and abortion when it came to religion. In the U.S. religion used as a reason for abortion to be outlawed, while religion is used to justify FGM. While these practices might have a religious context or argument to them, a woman's health should be considered first.

While the practice of FGM is wrong, at least according to most of the Western world, it should also be considered that it is a cultural practice and that making it illegal could be the health and well being of girls at risk. They need to decide, as a culture, to end this horrific practice, imposing laws on them will not make it stop.