Cutting of Women: Female Circumcision, Khatna and Genital Mutilation

To many, the first part of the above title may sound too crude, too gruesome and a bit of exaggeration. But when you take out the euphemisms and put it clearly and bluntly, female circumcision is nothing less than physically cutting off parts of the external genitalia of a girl or a woman. Female circumcision is a deep-rooted tradition in Islamic culture that originated in Africa and is practiced to this day by many Muslim (even moderates) communities all over the world. It is estimated that more than 125 millions girls and women have been subjected to genital mutilation within Africa and the Middle East alone [1].

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According to the World Health Organization (WHO), any procedure that involves intentional removal of partial or complete external female genitalia, or other injuries to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons is considered as female genital mutilation (FGM) [2]. Female circumcision in the more educated population usually involves partial or total removal of the clitoris (without anaesthesia), which is the primary source for female sexual pleasure and has more sensory nerve endings than any other part of the human body. This type of circumcision or khatna is strongly (yet secretly) practiced at least in one of the sub-sects of Ismaili Shia Muslims called the Dawoodi Bohras. I would know as I was raised in this community. Every single woman in my family has been cut. The prevalence rate of circumcision in the Dawoodi Bohra community is estimated to be around 90% and even takes place in the families who reside in European and Western countries [3-5].

But why would any parent commit such barbaric acts against his/her own child in the first place? Because most of them do not see it as mutilation, but as a part of an old but important tradition that has been passed on from generations without question or debate, becoming a part of their intrinsic identity. Also, If one lives in a community where every girl has been circumcised at some point, the social pressure to conform can be very strong—to a point where the question of the morality and legality of the action is silently drowned in the sea of thoughts. Belief in continuing the tradition of female circumcision comes first, reasons for having those beliefs follow.

Another form of this mutilation is excision of one or both the labia (lips around the vagina) along with the clitoris–again without anaesthesia. An extension of this procedure (called infibulation) is to let the cut labia heal over the opening of the vagina—sometimes with the help of sutures—to form a closed barrier of scar tissue, and then create an opening before the wound heals for passage of urine and menstrual blood. The legs of the girl are usually tied together for a few weeks to facilitate the healing. The band of scar tissue literally prevents any sexual intercourse until marriage, when the husband can confirm the precious virginity of his new bride—and then go ahead to painfully break it. This type of mutilation is widespread in many parts of Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Reasons given to justify FGM

The most popular one used by the literate class is that the partial or total removal of clitoris is “good for women’s health”. If that is the case, why is it that only some sects of Muslim communities do it? Why isn’t every parent running with their daughter between the age of 5 to 12 to get part of her genitals chopped off? That’s because there are no medical benefits of female circumcision–none. However, there are serious risks and potential consequences of FGM, including haemorrhaging, infections, acute excruciating pain in urination, chronic pain during sex, subdued or total lack of orgasm, social and psychological problems, and sometimes even death.

This is why the World Medical Association (WMA)—a highly reputed international organization representing physicians—have condemned the practice since 1993, and so do WHO, UNICEF, American Medical Association (AMA), the Council on Scientific Affairs, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the UN, Human Rights Watch and every other credible major health care and humanitarian organization in the world [6-10]. So much for “health benefits”.

The barbaric nature of FGM is also justified, although incorrectly, by comparing it to the procedure done in males. Female circumcision is not remotely similar to male circumcision, which involves removal of the hood of the foreskin (non-erectile tissue) over the head of the penis—and has limited negative impact, if any, on male sexuality or health. Comparing cutting of the clitoris–a woman’s most sensitive erectile tissue–is equivalent to removing the complete head of the penis [11]. It’s safe to assume that not a single, mentally sane Muslim man would agree to undergo this procedure in the name of health, hygiene, tradition, religion or even Allah.

Another popular pretext is that a circumcised woman is considered to be cleaner and more hygienic than an uncut one and is more aesthetic. This notion is repeated and reinforced constantly within the collective mind of the pro-circumcision communities, that it’s literally considered to be the hadith truth. The reality is that the practice to cut girls was started to cleanse them not of any bodily dirt, but of their sexuality. In a patriarchal society, the less sexual desire a woman has, the more “pure” and “modest” she is. It is believed that by circumcising a young girl, you reduce her sexual drive to commit “sinful” acts (including masturbation and premarital sex) and increase marriage fidelity—because only uncircumcised whores would fall for such vice.

Some mothers desire for their daughter to look alike, especially in regard to circumcision because it’s part of their collective identity. Anything physically different is automatically considered unattractive and hideous. The idea that a circumcised woman looks more “beautiful” is usually because people within such communities aren’t used to seeing an uncut clitoris—which to them may look “odd” and “weird”. It’s the same reason why I get starred at when walking into a Swiss Chalet in London, Ontario for a Sunday lunch. They simply aren’t used to seeing a brown guy in that place at that time.

The Root of all Evil

When all the superficial, pseudoscientific excuses run out, the primary reason is finally revealed, which is: Islam and the Sharia law mandates female circumcision and as a true believer, one must perform it. I was raised as a Muslim and one thing I learnt in my childhood was that the holy book of Qur’an is quite relevant to Islam—in fact, the whole religion is centered around it. Fact: There is absolutely no mention about female circumcision anywhere in the Qur’an and the primitive practice has nothing to do with Islam as widely believed. In fact, the practice predates Islam [12].

Female circumcision is purely an ancient cultural and traditional ritual that is religiously followed by many Muslim (and some non-Muslim) communities worldwide, but has nothing to do with the actual religion. Next time you come across a man claiming to be a Muslim, who preaches that female circumcision is required by Islam, ask him to cut off his balls as that too is mandated by Islam and see if he chooses to blindly believe that too.

The root of this ancient practice is simply the irrational obsession with a girl’s virginity. If a girl is found out to be a non-virgin on the wedding night, it is considered a matter of grave dishonour, that is shared not only by the girl, but her entire family, her tribe and her clan. With such a mindset, a woman is not considered as a person but more of an object. And on the wedding night, a man with similar medieval thinking wants his object brand new, not a used one. It’s like a child who wants his toy all new and shiny and starts throwing temper tantrums at the thought of playing with a toy that was previously used by somebody else.

FGM is illegal in all developed nations

There is not a single valid or rational reason to continue with this barbaric practice and any kind of female circumcision is nothing less than genital mutilation. And precisely because of this, at the time of this writing, FGM is outlawed in 33 countries outside Africa and the Middle East, including United States, Canada, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Australia, New Zealand and the entire European Union. There are multiple countries in Africa too where FGM is banned. But unfortunately, the ritual is still practiced in secrecy even in these countries within the immigrated population.

Within the Dawoodi Bohra community, FGM is easily obtained in India as there is no legislation against it. And parents who reside abroad usually take their daughter(s) on a “special” vacation back home when the dreaded time comes. Dedicated parents also sometimes take a serious risk to get the illegal circumcision done in the foreign residing country through one of the members from their own community, who may or may not have medical experience. After all, who’s going to spill the beans? But sometimes, they do get caught.

Many fear that if they take a stance against FGM and abandon the practice, they would be socially ostracized from their community and even their family. But is it really worth to be part of such a community at the cost of mutilating our own daughters? When people choose traditions and culture above well-being of people, they usually are on the wrong side of history.

There’s simply no justification to continue with this oppressive and violent practice. The choice is between protecting our daughters from the permanent mutilation (physical and emotional) vs. staying loyal and obedient to bogus traditions, community, clan or a bunch of hierarchical male priests who don’t even know what the fuck they’re talking about. As a child, a young girl puts all her trust in her parents to make the right choices for her, until she is mature enough to make her own decisions. Let’s make sure we never betray that trust.

Sources and Further Reading:

1. “Child protection from violence, exploitation and abuse”. UNICEF. Retrieved January 2014, from http://www.unicef.org.
2. “Female Genital Mutilation–Fact Sheet”. WHO. Retrieved January 2014, from http://www.who.int.
3. Subramanian, R. 2011. Bohra women go online to fight circumcision trauma. Hindustan Times. Retrieved January 2014, from http://www.hindustantimes.com.
4. Dasgupta, D. 2011. The Yin, wounded: A primitive rite for Bohra women sees its first murmurs of protest. Outlook India. Retrieved January 2014, from http://www.outlookindia.com.
5. “Female circumcision anger aired in India”. 2012. Dawn. Retrieved January 2014, from http://www.dawn.com.
6. “WMA Statement on Female Genital Mutilation”. 1993. World Medical Association. Retrieved January 2014, from http://www.wma.net.
7. “1994 interim meeting of the American Medical Association”. 1994. AMA. Retrieved January 2014, from http://www.ama-assn.org.
8. “Female genital mutilation. Council on Scientific Affairs, American Medical Association”. 1995. JAMA. 274(21):1714-6.
9. “Ending female genital mutilation: Red Cross and Red Crescent experience”. IFRC. Retrieved January 2014, from http://www.ifrc.org.
10. “United Nation bans female genital mutilation”. 2012. UN Women. Retrieved January 2014, from http://www.unwomen.org.
11. Seelinger, K.T and Reyes, H. 2013. Ending ‘female circumcision’ in practice and name. The Huffington Post. Retrieved January 2014, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com.
12. Rouzi, AA. 2013. Facts and controversies on female genital mutilation and Islam. Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care. 18(1):10-14.
13. “Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: A statistical overview and exploration of the dynamics of change”. UNICEF. Retrieved January 2014, from http://www.unicef.org.
14. Al Marzouqi, W. 2011. Fatal traditions: Female circumcision in the UAE. The National. Retrieved January 2014, from http://www.thenational.ae.
15. Ali, AH. 2008. The Caged Virgin: An Emancipation Proclamation for Women and Islam. United Kingdom: The Free Press. 208p.