FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION: A GROTESQUE FORM OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

Female Genital Mutilation is internationally recognised as a violation of the human rights of the girls and women, reflecting deep rooted inequality between the sexes. Since FGM is almost carried out on minors, it is also violation of the human rights of the children. Female Circumcision according to WHO, includes procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female gentalia or injury to them for non- medical reasons. A recent UNICEF report study states that more than 130 million girls are at risk of being cut before their 15th birthday if the current trend continues. Most survivors are from African Countries, but it is also practiced in India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia and some countries in Middle East. A major motivation is that the practice is believed to ensure the girl conforms to the key social norms related to sexual restraint, feminity, respectability and maturity. Reasons for carrying out the practice range from ethnic and tribal cultures, family relations, tribal connections, class, economic and social circumstances and education etc.The present study explores this practice with an overview upon the societal and extra cultural factors prevalent and facilitating such practice with psychological grave consequences on the victims. The study is based on secondary data findings and research and uses a compressive sociological analysis based on dialectical perspectives