This book uses global household data to examine the prevalence, trends and geographic variation of female genital mutilation (FGM) around the world. It also addresses the underlying legal and policy aspects as well as explores the medical consequences, both immediate and long term, for those undergoing the practice. The book details how health risks associated with FGM might be prevented where the law has become ineffective in terms of enforcement. It argues that contrary to a complete ban, some forms of FGM should perhaps be allowed and undertaken by medical experts in modern clinics, which will have the important result of reducing health risks such as HIV. In addition, the book explains how the toleration towards some forms of FGM does nothing to threaten the pursuit of justice in case of unlawful practices. The book also addresses the debate between those who argue for a total ban on these practices and those who would like to see the liberalisation of some of these practices. In addition, it shows how health professionals who are confronted with patients with genital mutilations can deal with a problem that involves medical, legal, ethical and cultural aspects. Conventional wisdom suggests that FGM constitutes a violation of human rights and represents a potential medical danger for the victims. Adopted legislation designed to ban FGM practices has largely failed. This book explores the many reasons for this legislation failure and presents a strategy that can help reduce the medical danger of the practice as a whole.

Hersteller:
Springer Verlag GmbH
juergen.hartmann@springer.com
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DE 69121 Heidelberg