Cutters turn razors on babies to avoid FGM/C law
The practice of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is an old tradition that is said to maintain cleanliness or make the determination of ones sex clearer and usually preformed once someone finally hits puberty. Although it is tradition it can be emotionally and physically painful. In 1996 Burkina Faso made it illegal to perform FGM/C and if you did you would be put in jail for up to ten years and fined almost 1,500 dollars. Since that law was passed the government has found that the performance of FGM/C in children under the age of five has increased 11%. In order to try an perform the circumcision in secret so to not be punished the circumcisions have started to be preformed at a younger age because it is usually easier to silence and take advantage of someone who is younger.
The practice of FGM/C can have long-term consequences such as extreme pain during childbirth, sex and urination. Three million girls are cut each year. FGM/C is something that everyone needs to be aware of. Many are un-wiling to give up the tradition so it has to be done in secretive and extremely painful ways. The person who is being circumcised usually has no voice or say and we have to give them that voice back. FGM/C is not usually talked about among communities but it still goes on. It is important to know about this issue of illegal genital mutilation and circumcision because children are being silenced and hurt and we have to help.
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