Final answer:
Female genital mutilation (FGM) involves the removal of female genitalia and is condemned by health and human rights organizations due to severe health risks and rights violations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as female circumcision, is a cultural practice found in some parts of the world. FGM involves the partial or total removal of female genitalia for non-medical reasons, often considered a rite of passage. This practice has been condemned by various health and human rights organizations as it poses severe risks to women's health and is viewed as a violation of human rights. Long-term effects of FGM can include chronic pain, infections, increased risk of childbirth complications and newborn deaths, menstrual issues, and the need for later surgeries. Moreover, FGM can lead to long-lasting psychological trauma and challenges in sexual relations. Efforts to ban FGM focus on education, law enforcement against practitioners, and challenging the underlying gender inequalities that sustain such practices. Despite the controversy, some communities defend FGM as a cultural tradition, leading to complex debates on the issue.
It's important to involve community elders, such as grandmothers, in the dialogue, as they hold significant influence in either the perpetuation or cessation of FGM. Engaging with cultural values and community leaders, while providing education on the detrimental effects of FGM, is key to promoting the abandonment of this practice. Organizations like the World Health Organization and the United Nations have been at the forefront of these international efforts. The goal is to protect women's health and uphold their rights, advocating for change through education and legislation against the practice of FGM.