Today marks the 10th anniversary of the International Day of the Girl, established by the United Nations General Assembly to acknowledge the unique obstacles faced by girls and their rights worldwide. On this date, October 11th, we wish to shed light on the issue of female genital mutilation (FGM) and its impact on girls globally.
FGM can have severe and life-threatening consequences for the girls who undergo it. Many are deprived of educational opportunities, suffer from prolonged psychological distress, and are pushed into early marriages.
The immediate repercussions of FGM include:
shock
hemorrhage (bleeding)
bacterial infections
urine retention
open sores
damage to the surrounding genital tissue
fatality
The long-term effects of FGM include:
bladder and urinary tract infections
cysts
infertility
increased risk of complications during childbirth
higher likelihood of infant mortality during labor
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