Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), more commonly referred to as Female circumcision is a harmful practice that is prevalent in many parts of the world. In Africa, Nigeria is one of the 29 countries where FGM is practiced. In Nigeria, there is a wide variation in the prevalence, with the national average being put at 40%. While the practice is widespread, covering practically every state of the federation though in varying magnitude from infancy to childhood, some socio – cultural determinants have been identified as supporting this avoidable practice.


The World Health Organization (WHO) defines FGM as all procedures that involve the partial or total removal of the female external genetalia or injury to the female genital organs for cultural or any other non – therapeutic reasons.


By universal standards, FGM is an abuse of girls’ and women’s right, because it is violence against them and because it leaves a permanent scars on their genitals and on their psyche in such a way as to adversely affect safe motherhood. It also predisposes women to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV/AIDS.

GLOBAL MOVE TO ELIMINATE FGM
In 1993, Nigeria joined other members of the 46th World Health Assembly to resolve and eliminate FGM (WHA 46.18). As a result of the risks and impairment to women and girls, the World Health Assembly passed the above Resolution to eliminate FGM. Steps taken so far to achieve this include;

Establishment of Multi – sectoral Technical Working Group on Harmful Traditional Practices (HTPs)


Conduct of various studies and national surveys on HTPs;


Launching of a Regional Plan of Action and ;Formulation of a National Policy and Plan of Action for the elimination of FGM.

In 1994 the WHA passed the Resolution 47.10, urging member states to adopt policies and programs of actions to ensure the elimination of FGM world wide. Again, Nigeria was one of the nations which voted for Resolution 47.10 and was also, prior to the 1993/1994 Resolutions, a signatory, in 1979, to the United Nation (UN) Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Declaration on Violence Against Women in 1993.


Further global campaign since 1994 led to the adoption of 6th February of every year as International Day for Zero Tolerance to FGM. In support, the Federal Executive Council also adopted 6th February of every year as National FGM Elimination Day.


Although we in Nigeria, could not (for) this year (2007) joined the rest of the world for the 6th February campaign due to some “unavoidable” setback, we have decided to do so today. After all, it is better late than ever, goes the wise saying.


As a party to the campaign on this particular day (Tuesday 20th February 2007) I have decided to write from all the information I could gather.


HOW? THE PROCESSES OF FGM
FGM is carried out using various types of unseterilized instruments which include special knives, scissors, scalpels, pieces of glass or razor blades etc. there is often additional unintentional damage due to crude tools, poor light and septic conditions. The procedures are usually carried out by an elderly woman of the village who has been specially designated for this task or by traditional birth attendants.


Anesthetics and antiseptics are not generally used. Assistants and/or family members hold down the girl in question to prevent her from struggling. Paste mixtures made of herbs, cow dung, hot ashes, barks and roots of trees or other mixtures are rubbed on to the wounds to stop bleeding.


Although, FGM was traditionally the specialization of traditional healers, traditional birth attendants or members of the community known for the trade, there is however, the new “medicalization” which has introduced modern health practitioners and lay – care into the trade.


The WHO has continually and unequivocally advised that FGM must not be institutionalized, nor should any form of FGM be performed by any health professional in any setting, including hospitals or other health establishments.

WHEN IS IT CARRIED OUT? – AGE

The age varies. Depending on the culture, the practice may be carried out during infancy, childhood, as a “rite of passage” or during an “initiation ceremony”, at the time of marriage or during the first pregnancy. In some communities in Nigeria, they even perform the mutilation on the dead women. Crying is prohibited till the corpse is mutilated and the usual ceremonies performed.

HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF FGM: EFFECTS?
The effects are physical and psychological. The physical effects include:

ü Uncontrolled/heavy bleeding;
ü Severe pain/infection;
ü Pelvic inflammatory disease;
ü Urine retention;
ü Genital ulcerations;
ü Keloid;
ü Scar formation
ü Vesico Vaginal Fistula/Rector Vaginal Fistula arising from damage to the urethra/rectum;
ü Painful/difficult labor;
ü Shock
ü Risk of catching blood transmitted diseases: HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B etc;
ü Possible infertility;At times, death.


The psychological effects include;
ü Anxiety;
ü Depression;
ü Irritability;
ü Frigidity;
ü Insecurity;
ü Reduced/Elimination/Loss of Sexual Pleasure etc.

TYPES OF FGM

Four types of FGM were identified by the WHO Technical Committee in 1995:

TYPE I: Excision of the prepuce (the fold of skin above the clitoris) with or without excision of part or the entire clitoris – referred to as “Sunna”;


TYPE II: Excision of the prepuce and clitoris (clitoridectomy) along with partial or total excision of the labia minora (inner lip);


TYPE III: excision of part or all of the external genitalia and stitching/narrowing of the vaginal opening (infibulations). It is sometime referred to as Pharaonic circumcision or Sudanese circumcision;


TYPE IV: Unclassified:


Ø Pricking, piecing, or incision of clitoris and/or labia;
Ø Stretching of the clitoris and/or labia;
Ø Cauterization by burning of the clitoris and surrounding tissues;
Ø Scrapping (angurya cuts) of the vaginal orifice or cutting of the interior and sometimes, posterior (gishiri cuts) of the vaginal wall;
Ø Introduction of corrosive substance or herbs into the vagina to either cause bleeding, tighten or narrow vagina;
Ø Any other procedures that falls under the definition of FGM given above.


The procedures described above are irreversible and their effects last a lifetime!!

Type I and II (Excision of the clitoris and labia minora) are the commonest types of FGM. In Nigeria, the commonest type is type I. Type III (Infibulations) is the most extreme form of FGM. It involves the complete removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, as well as the inner surface of the labia majora. The two sides of the vulva are then stitched together with thorns or by silk or catgut sutures so that when the remaining skin of the labia majora heals, it forms a bridge of scar tissue over the vagina. A small opening is preserved by the insertion of a foreign body to allow for the passage of urine and menstrual blood. As the wound heals, the developed scar tissue most often creates a barrier to intercourse and child birth, resulting in repeated de – infibulations and trauma.

WHY? – THE PRACTICE


It has not been possible to determine when or where the tradition of FGM originated. However it is still deeply entrenched in the Nigerian society, where critical decision makers are the grandmothers, mothers, women opinion leaders, men aged groups.


The reasons given to justify FGM are numerous, including:
· Custom and tradition;
· (Traditional) Religious demand;
· Purification;
· Family honor;
· Hygiene;
· Aesthetic reasons;
· Protection of virginity and prevention of promiscuity;
· Increasing sexual pleasure for the husband;
· Enhancing fertility;
· Giving a sense of belonging to a group and;
· Increasing matrimonial opportunities.

The geographical/zonal distribution of FGM prevalence in Nigeria

ZONE, PERCENTAGE AND RANGE

South – West
0.1 – 93.8

South – East
1.6 – 95.5

South - South
0.2 – 79.2

Middle – Belt
6.9 – 85.5

North – East
3.4 – 38.8

North – West
6.2 – 76.2

P:S: FGM is carried out in Nigeria irrespective of religion or culture;
Ten states (Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Cross River, Delta, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, and Rivers States) have passed out a legislation outlawing FGM;
The House of Representatives has also passed the bill on FGM. Every one awaits the Senates’ passage of the Bill to make it a national law.

BOTTOM LINE

In order to eliminate FGM in Nigeria, it is necessary to promote awareness of the predicament by educating the policy/decision makers, the general public, health workers, and those who carry out the practice on all its health and psychological consequences. This calls for the active involvement of political leaders, professionals, development workers, local communities and their leaders, and women groups and organization.


v It is important to note that FGM is not required by any religion, or at least any modern religion;
v There is no scientific evidence that women who have been mutilated are more faithful or better wives than those who have no;
v The world has risen against FGM, join the campaign against mans’ violation against man and resolve as an individual not to practice it in your home;
v Persuade those who still practice it that there is no benefit in it;
v Lobby your legislator/legislature in the state to vote for the law against FGM – Female Circumcision; and
v Report any known cases of violation to the police.


LET US ALL JOIN HANDS TO ELIMINATE FGM IN NIGERA


Reference:

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Nigeria: know the facts. Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), Federal Secretariat, Abuja in collaboration with World Health Organization (WHO).
Facts About FGM. What is FGM/Female Circumcision? Funded/Produced by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

Crises in Dafur: A Litmus Test – African Union (AU)

When President Richard M Nixon left for China on February 17, 1972 on a visit which helped to end the hostility between the United States of America and the Communist China and which of course led to a joint agreement to work toward peace in Asia and to develop closer economic, diplomatic and cultural ties between the two, what lesson could there have been for African leaders through the then toothless Organization for African Unity(OAU), now African Union (AU)?



You will agree with me that AU can never hope to bring peace to the crises ridden region of Dafur (just one of the numerous crises ridden regions in Africa) because its (AU) membership - North, South, East and West - comprises of leaders who have failed their citizens in their own countries!

Connecting to Readers Mental Senses: How?

Do you know that descriptive and color writing help readers step into your story.

An assignment to write a story carries its own special challenges and "rules of engagement." Successful feature writers draw readers into their stories by using colorful, descriptive language which helps readers see the scenes or feel the moods of their subjects. Learn how you can connect with readers by appealing to their "mental senses."

Research: Strike Website Gold!

Yea, you have a research that you must finish before a particular deadline, but you can't find the page you want. What? Trim back the URL? Or, is there another better alternative, you asked yourself.

And here again, your online research has taken you to a site which looks promising. You haven't found the exact page you want, but you have a hunch that you're close. How can you get to the nugget of information you need? Follow these quick tips to strike website gold.

Ask Nancy;

Dear Nancy,

When I enter a search in the search box, it searches all the words in all the books and articles on Questia. Is there a way I can search only specific parts of the information - like searching only book titles or author names? And are there other ways I can make my search more specific?

Exacting in Ixtapa


Click here for Nancy's response.

Examination, Anxiety and Brain Training.

Panic Proof? Oh yea, you need to avoid high anxiety during exam time!

You see....

Shaky hands, cold sweats, nausea. Are you getting the flu? Nope, it's simply exam time. And while there's no vaccine for test anxiety, you can boost your immunity to these sick feelings. According to Carnegie Mellon University, poor study skills, a bad past experience and fear of the unknown can all contribute to exam stress. Fight Test Anxiety, they suggest, with such pre-test prep as devising study strategies which work for you, focusing on detail, giving yourself a pep talk and visualizing success.

Be sure to get a good night's sleep before a test, says Psychology Today writer Rebecca Segall. In the article "Sleep On It", she cited recent research which found that those who stay up all night studying show little improvement in test performance. Use exam eve, says Richard Palmer, author of Brain Train: Studying for Success, to lay out everything you'll need – from pens/pencils, geometrical instruments and calculators to any texts required for open book tests. On exam day, rise early enough to get ready at a leisurely pace, and resist last-minute urges to cram, he says. When you have the test in hand, Factmonster.com Homework Center's Ten Tips for Taking Tests may come in handy: Read exam instructions carefully, and ask the instructor to clarify anything you don't understand; read the complete test noting the point value of each section so you can pace yourself; answer the easiest questions first, then those with the highest point value, and don't get stuck on one question – instead move on and come back to it later. Post-exam, says Factmonster, review the instructor's comments, try to learn from any mistakes, and save your test to revisit again when it's time to prepare for end-of-term exams.

What do you think?

The Virtues of Endurance: Try it!

Why do you feel everything is against you?
It is not as bad as you may think;
The world is simple as you may see;
It is just a little endurance that you need.
Others have worst problems than you do;
Move with them and hear their problems
And you will see that yours is simple.


Go to the old and the most experienced;
They will tell you they had worst problems;
It was their past endurance that keeps them.
You jus take a little lesson from them
It is just a little endurance that you need.


Though sometimes,
There is limit to human endurance
Yet that little endurance is what you need
to see you through that stormy times.
Always remember
that what comes after the little endurance
and your decision
Will certainly be a golden crown.


Just try to endure

And for now……..



If circumstances won’t allow us to see each other
Memories will
If my eyes cant see you
My heart will (never forget you).

HERE COMES ANOTHER WEEKEND

Jeffy, Jana and Me (Home - Jos, 2000): Top Right;Aunty Tabi, Me, Adarju, Christy, Jafiada and Belinda(friend), (Wedding at Ecwa Church, Jos, 2005) - Auta Family's wedding): Below Left;

Christy, John Belinda, Me and Rosemary (Rwam Pam Stadium - Easter Interdenominational program, 2003) Right.

Hey! How is Jos?

Oh! How time flies.
It’s been a very long time since I left home. That is 172 days! Five solid months plus!

What? Yes, I could not travel home for the Christmas break….
I have been planning to go home….

You know, I miss all of you.

If circumstances won’t allow us to see each other
Memories will
If my eyes cant see you
My heart will (never forget you)

Adarju, Janada, Jafyada, Jantiku, Jasubu, Purdam, Angarju, Christy, (Cousins) Rosemary, Wadzani, Iirmdu, Aunty Tabi – all in Jos and Uncle Bull – Lagos. I miss all of you.

What of Jiptil, Samaila, Ishaya, Victoria etc. – all kakas family (Jos)…. You are all loved.
If I can’t make it this weekend, please forgive me.

Love Is In The Air !

From a purely practical point of view, it's good to know that this holiday, according to The Book of the Year: A Brief History of Our Seasonal Holidays, is based on the ancient and very popular Roman Lupercalia festival of "lovemaking and licentiousness." Shaped over centuries by writers of romantic poetry and prose, Valentine's Day is now celebrated in many different countries. And scientists, says Dr. Helen Fisher in a PBS Springboard interview, are examining brain chemistry and circuitry to better understand the physiology behind lust, romantic love and long-term attachment.



But these factoids might be better saved for cocktail party chat. St. Valentine's Day is all about passion! For those who are not yet in a romantic mood — or not head over heels about anyone right now — (they) will transport themselves with a classic love story from the Questia collection such as Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, Wuthering Heights or The Tale of Genji. Or enjoy one of the silver screen romantic comedies mentioned in Wes Gehring's USA Today piece "Love and Laughter: A Cinematic Valentine's Day Bouquet."


But this should have been more reflected in stock taking of our (those who are in love, I am not!) love life; how “ingenuous” we’ve been to our partners, or how “ingenious” our partners have been to us. It should be a time of prayer and not for “lovemaking and licentiousness”. A prayer for God to streamline ‘this” relationship, to make it more realistic at the end of the day; to make it “truly mutually beneficial, a real help meet to each other”; to bring glory to HIS name at the end of the tunnel; to fulfill HIS purpose for this very relationship – not for the purpose of God to be defeated on February 14TH…..


………what more? For us to have mutual respect for each others body; to defend each others right with all zest; to…..

Learn How to Love Writing

Does writing make you nauseous? Learn to love it. You're close to finishing this project, and suddenly it hits you: a wave of nausea. Far from lovesickness, your queasy stomach likely stems from your dread that your writing is awful. You're not alone; many writers become anxious and hyper-critical at this stage in the process. Learn one expert's antidote for fighting your fears and fixing your work.

Dear Nancy,My Questia research is uncovering tons of good information — so much, in fact, that I'm having trouble keeping track of all my notes. Do you have any advice for me?Disorganized in Detroit. Click here for Nancy's response.