Introduction

Harmful traditional practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Child Marriage are significant forms of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) that violate human rights and undermine the well-being of girls and women. These practices have been justified through culture, religion, and tradition, but they carry grave consequences that affect physical, mental, and social health. Despite global efforts to end such harmful practices, they persist, denying millions of girls and women the right to a life free from violence, trauma, and discrimination. This article explores the connection between FGM, child marriage, and SGBV, and outlines the long-lasting impacts and effects, as well as the challenges and strategies for eliminating these practices.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) 

What Is FGM?

Female Genital Mutilation refers to the deliberate cutting, removal, or alteration of female genital organs for non-medical reasons, often performed during childhood or adolescence. It is carried out with no anesthesia, frequently in unsanitary conditions, and without consent. It is mostly performed on girls between infancy and adolescence, often without their consent. The procedure is tied to a belief that it is necessary to preserve a girl’s purity, prepare her for marriage, or enhance her social status. However, it is ultimately a form of violence, rooted in patriarchal beliefs that seek to control women’s and girls’ sexuality and bodily autonomy.

 The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies FGM into four types: 

• Clitoridectomy: Removing part or all of the clitoris. 

• Excision: Removing the clitoris and the labia minora, sometimes the labia majora. 

• Infibulation: Sewing the vaginal opening shut, leaving only a small hole for urination and menstruation. 

• Other harmful procedures, including pricking, piercing, or burning genital tissue.  

FGM is a clear violation of sexual and gender-based violence because it involves the non-consensual alteration of a woman’s sexual and reproductive organs. It is gendered violence aimed at controlling women’s sexuality and their role in society. FGM perpetuates gender inequality, reinforcing the idea that women’s bodies are the property of their families or communities, and it contributes to sexual repression and objectification.

The Consequences of FGM

FGM is not just a painful experience, it has severe, lasting effects, including: 

• Chronic pain, infections, and complications during childbirth 

• Increased risk of HIV transmission due to unsterilized instruments 

• Emotional trauma, anxiety, depression, and PTSD 

• Loss of sexual pleasure and marital difficulties 

Health Implications

• Complications such as obstetric fistula, maternal mortality, and infant mortality. 

• Increased risk of menstrual problems, urinary issues, and childbirth complications. 

• Severe psychological effects including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

Challenges in Combatting FGM

– Cultural and Societal Norms: In many communities, FGM is seen as a rite of passage or necessary for a girl to become a respected woman. These deeply ingrained cultural beliefs make it difficult to eradicate the practice. 
– Weak Legal Enforcement: While FGM is banned in many countries, there is often a gap between laws and implementation. Enforcement remains weak, especially in rural or remote areas where there may be minimal legal oversight. 
– Lack of Access to Healthcare: In many regions where FGM is prevalent, there is limited access to healthcare services, which prevents girls from receiving medical support and recovery services after the procedure. 
– Resistance to Change: Efforts to end FGM face resistance, particularly when survivors and community members continue to view the practice as a cultural necessity, reinforcing the cycle of violence.

-Silencing and normalization of survivors’ pain: Survivors are often discouraged from speaking out, making it harder to address the psychological and physical consequences linked to SGBV. 

Recommendations for Addressing FGM 

– Legal Reforms: Strengthen and enforce laws that criminalize FGM, with heavy penalties for perpetrators and individuals facilitating the procedure. 
– Community Education: Community-based awareness programs should be launched, with a focus on educating families and leaders about the harm caused by FGM. This should include local religious and community leaders who can influence cultural norms. 
– Support for Survivors: Develop comprehensive support systems for FGM survivors, including mental health services, medical treatment, and social support, to help them cope with the trauma of the procedure. 
– Promote Female Empowerment: Strengthen efforts to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment through education, economic opportunities, and political participation. 

Child Marriage

What Is Child Marriage?

Child marriage refers to the practice of marrying off children—usually girls—before the age of 18. Child marriage is closely linked to poverty, cultural beliefs, and traditional practices that uphold patriarchal systems. Despite the global trend toward eliminating this practice, it remains widespread in certain regions of South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and parts of Latin America. 

Child marriage is a form of sexual and gender-based violence, as it exposes girls to forced sexual relations, early pregnancy, and sexual exploitation within the marriage. Girls are often married off to older men, leading to power imbalances, emotional manipulation, and domestic violence. The practice also robs girls of their autonomy, forcing them into roles of domestic servitude and sexual submission. 

Why Are Girls Still Being Married Off? 

• Poverty: Families see child marriage as a way to ease financial burdens or secure dowries. 

• Gender inequality: In many societies, girls are valued less than boys and seen as burdens. 

• Traditional beliefs: Some communities believe early marriage protects a girl’s honor. 

• Conflict and crisis: In war zones, parents marry off daughters for security or economic relief. 

The Devastating Impact of Child Marriage 

1. Sexual and Reproductive Health Risks: 
– Early Pregnancy: Child brides face higher risks of early pregnancy, which can result in complications such as fistula, maternal mortality, and infant mortality. 
– Sexual Violence: Child marriage exposes girls to sexual violence within their marriages, as they often do not have the ability to consent to or negotiate sexual relations. 
– Increased HIV Risk: Child brides are at an increased risk of HIV due to older husbands who may have multiple sexual partners. 
2. Educational and Economic Consequences: 
– School Dropout: Child marriage often leads to the early dropout of school for girls, depriving them of education, economic opportunities, and personal growth. 
– Poverty Perpetuation: Girls married as children are often trapped in a cycle of poverty, as they are unable to work, pursue education, or escape abusive relationships. 
– Social Isolation: Child brides often experience social isolation, as they are cut off from their families, friends, and communities, leaving them vulnerable to violence and exploitation. 
3. Psychosocial Impact: 
– Emotional and Physical Abuse: Child brides are at high risk of domestic violence, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. The power imbalance in the marriage often leaves them powerless to resist or escape abuse. 
– Mental Health Disorders: Child marriage is linked to mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidal tendencies, often due to the trauma of forced marriage and early childbirth. 

Challenges in Combatting Child Marriage

– Cultural and Religious Norms: In many communities, child marriage is seen as a tradition, and girls are married off early to protect their honor or to fulfill social expectations. 
– Poverty: Families living in extreme poverty often view child marriage as a way to alleviate economic burdens or secure dowries. 
– Weak Legal Protections: Although laws against child marriage exist, they are not always enforced, and there are often loopholes or exceptions that allow the practice to continue. 

Recommendations 

• Strengthen enforcement of laws prohibiting FGM and child marriage. 

• Increase education and awareness campaigns targeting communities where these practices are prevalent. 

• Promote economic empowerment programs for women and girls. 

• Engage community leaders and religious figures to challenge harmful beliefs. 

• Provide adequate healthcare and support services for survivors. 

Conclusion

Both Female Genital Mutilation and Child Marriage are forms of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence that violate the rights of girls and women. These harmful practices contribute to gender inequality and have devastating effects on the physical, emotional, and social well-being of girls and women. Ending FGM and child marriage requires a multi-faceted approach, including legal reforms, education, community engagement, and support for survivors. Through collective action, we can work to eliminate these practices and create a world where girls and women live free from violence, empowered to reach their full potential.