FGM Has Entered the United States
An issue that has dominated many parts of Africa and the Middle East has now come to the United States, as a new report says immigration may be the root of an unsafe practice that has ruined the lives of many young girls.
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is very common in Africa. It is the process of either cutting off or mutilating the external genitalia of girls as young as eight. Since it has become illegal in Kenya for four years now, "cutters" can be found in shabby, and most often than not, unhygienic areas. This means children and ladies undergoing the process are highly exposed to infection, and the more dangerous side of FGM, profuse bleeding.
In some extreme cases, the vagina is sewn, to make sure the child won't have any sexual contact before marriage. With the vagina sewn, urination and menstruation are bringing about multiple problems such as urinary tract and bladder infections, irregular periods, and even infertility.
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According to The Christian Broadcasting Network, both legal and illegal migrants to the United States who hail from Muslim-dominated countries have carried the custom with them and is becoming a huge issue in the country.
The custom is one that has become very sacred to people who practice it over the years since it is passed down from generation to generation. People who practice FGM believe that the chain shouldn't be broken — thus, the story of pain and suffering for young girls forced to undergo the process goes on and on until something is done to stop it.
The outlet explains that FGM is also called "female castration." This is because those who go through the excruciating procedure "lose the ability to become sexually aroused."
While a huge number of Muslims are supporting their twisted culture, the outlet says the Muslim community are indulged in a debate as to whether the practice is actually connoting their faith or not.
Human Rights attorney Paula Kweskin believes there is one effective way to put an end to the suffering of young girls. "I think if we can break down the honor system, we will break away issues like FGM and child marriage and forced marriage and honor killings because these things are all linked together," she says.
