How does it affect?
Female Genital Mutilation might have physical as well as psychological consequences (Utz-Billing & Kentenich, 2008, p. 226). There are short–term and long-term affects that are associated with female circumcision depending on the education of the individual performing these medical procedures (Konoyannis & Katsetos, 2010, p. 33).
Physical Short-Term and Long-Term Consequences
It is important to note that female genital mutilation in Canada is considered “child assault and prohibited under sections 267 (assault causing bodily harm) or 268 (aggravated assault, including wounding, maiming, disfiguring) of the Criminal Code” (Weir, 2000, p.1344). There is no sufficient data to support whether female genital mutilation is practiced in Canada, which may be due to the fact that it is illegal to practice FGM. Since it is an illegal act in Canada, people who perform these procedures may not have the proper equipment or education.
During the procedure, death may occur as a result of haemorrhage, sepsis and shock (Konoyannis & Katsetos, 2010, p. 34). Before the procedure occurs girls may be pinned down to prevent them from moving. And as a result girls will often try to fight their restraints, this can lead to fractures of the humerus, femur and clavicle (Utz-Billing and Kentenich, 2008, p. 227). . The individual performing the procedure may be uneducated about long-term and short-term consequences, as a result HIV may be an increased risk to the individual receiving the procedure since sterile tools are often not used (Utz-Billing and Kentenich, 2008, p. 227).
Many of the long term complications associated with FGM are the following: dysmonorrhea, dyspareunia, and penetration problems. (Utz-Billing and Kenteich, 2008, p.227). Further long-term effects are absent orgasms (Kontoyannis & Katsetos, 2010, p. 34). This is a child health issue since 43% of teenagers (15-19 years old) in Canada had stated that they had participated in sexual intercourse (Rotermann, 2008, p. 1).
Psychological Long-term Effects
Feelings that may occur after FGM are feelings of “incompleteness, fear, inferiority and suppression that influence the whole life of women” and children (Utz-Billing and Kateich, 2008, p. 227). This can be interpreted to mean that females of all ages may be working through these emotions that are related to female circumcision. Utz-Billing and Kateich (2008) noted that circumcision puts females at risk for psychological issues such as depression (p. 227). A child may lose confidence in the person who allowed the procedure to happen since the child may have trusted that individual to protect them (Utz-Billing& Kateich, 2008, p. 227). Incontinence is another issue that may occur from FGM, affecting an individual psychologically since it may impacting their activities of daily living (Utz-Billing & Kateich, 2008, p. 227).
Physical Short-Term and Long-Term Consequences
It is important to note that female genital mutilation in Canada is considered “child assault and prohibited under sections 267 (assault causing bodily harm) or 268 (aggravated assault, including wounding, maiming, disfiguring) of the Criminal Code” (Weir, 2000, p.1344). There is no sufficient data to support whether female genital mutilation is practiced in Canada, which may be due to the fact that it is illegal to practice FGM. Since it is an illegal act in Canada, people who perform these procedures may not have the proper equipment or education.
During the procedure, death may occur as a result of haemorrhage, sepsis and shock (Konoyannis & Katsetos, 2010, p. 34). Before the procedure occurs girls may be pinned down to prevent them from moving. And as a result girls will often try to fight their restraints, this can lead to fractures of the humerus, femur and clavicle (Utz-Billing and Kentenich, 2008, p. 227). . The individual performing the procedure may be uneducated about long-term and short-term consequences, as a result HIV may be an increased risk to the individual receiving the procedure since sterile tools are often not used (Utz-Billing and Kentenich, 2008, p. 227).
Many of the long term complications associated with FGM are the following: dysmonorrhea, dyspareunia, and penetration problems. (Utz-Billing and Kenteich, 2008, p.227). Further long-term effects are absent orgasms (Kontoyannis & Katsetos, 2010, p. 34). This is a child health issue since 43% of teenagers (15-19 years old) in Canada had stated that they had participated in sexual intercourse (Rotermann, 2008, p. 1).
Psychological Long-term Effects
Feelings that may occur after FGM are feelings of “incompleteness, fear, inferiority and suppression that influence the whole life of women” and children (Utz-Billing and Kateich, 2008, p. 227). This can be interpreted to mean that females of all ages may be working through these emotions that are related to female circumcision. Utz-Billing and Kateich (2008) noted that circumcision puts females at risk for psychological issues such as depression (p. 227). A child may lose confidence in the person who allowed the procedure to happen since the child may have trusted that individual to protect them (Utz-Billing& Kateich, 2008, p. 227). Incontinence is another issue that may occur from FGM, affecting an individual psychologically since it may impacting their activities of daily living (Utz-Billing & Kateich, 2008, p. 227).