Study of the ethical outcomes, Legal aspects and Courses of action to eradicate Female Genital Mutilation

This review study explains health and reproductive health consequences of female genital mutilation, legal dimensions and interventional strategies for its elimination. Female genital mutilation includes all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia. Female genital cutting is classified into three major types. Type I, Clitoridectomy (partial or total removal of the clitoris); Type II, Excision (partial or total excision of the clitoris and the labia minora, with or without removal of labia majora) and TypeIII, Infibulation (tightening of vaginal orifice by cutting and appositioning the labia minora and/or the labia majora). According to global statistics, around 135 million women worldwide have been circumcised. Every year 3 million African girls are circumcised. There is no clear data on FGM prevalence in Iran. But according to a research in Minab the prevalence of circumcision is 70%. There are cultural, social and religion-based reasons behind FGM. Female genital mutilation is also rooted in severe gender discrimination against women. Female genital cutting is considered to be a means to conserve a girl’s virginity and to make them clean and beautiful.Female genital mutilation has many harmful consequences. Short-term complications such as pain, infection, urinary problems, septicemia and some long-term consequences are chronic pain and pelvic infections, dysparonia and increased prevalence of infertility. Genital mutilation of women has negative effects on delivery process and increases the risk of maternal and neonatal mortality.Female genital mutilation is a violation against women and children rights and violation of human rights. As it was mentioned, girls and women are being circumcised in some parts of Iran. To stop FGM in our country we could use media, schools and religious groups to raise people awareness and pass acts against this practice. We must consider that there is a long road ahead of the people who are trying to end this practice.