The Unspoken Practice: Female Circumcision In Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a country where women and girls are known to be circumcised. It is considered one of the most dangerous countries for women, with high maternal mortality rates, limited access to healthcare, and a lack of economic rights. Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a widespread phenomenon in Asia, threatening the lives of millions of girls and causing medical, psychological, and sexual problems for adult women. While there is little evidence of FGM in Afghanistan, a study in Iran found a high prevalence of FGM among refugee women from the country. FGM is primarily performed in Africa, and its prevalence varies across countries.

Prevalence of female circumcision in Afghanistan

Female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as female genital cutting (FGC) and female circumcision, is prevalent in Afghanistan, mainly in the south, bordering Pakistan. While there is a lack of reliable data on the prevalence of FGM in Afghanistan, there is evidence that it is practiced in the country.

FGM is a tradition that has been in place for almost 4000 years and is usually associated with patriarchal societies. It is performed in varying prevalence rates in countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The procedure is often carried out by a female circumciser without medical training, using knives, scissors, scalpels, or pieces of glass, and without the use of anesthetics or antiseptics.

In Afghanistan, FGM is primarily performed on baby girls or young girls, and it is often justified on sociocultural, religious, or traditional grounds. However, it is important to note that these justifications are not scientifically valid, and FGM has severe short-term and long-term health consequences, including physical, psychological, sexual, and social impacts.

From an ethical perspective, FGM violates universally recognized fundamental ethical principles. Additionally, from an Islamic perspective, there is no Quranic reference or authentic hadith that supports FGM. In fact, Islamic scholars and clerics have spoken out against the practice, and some countries in the region, such as Iraq and Yemen, have taken steps to combat it.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines FGM as "all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons." WHO further categorizes FGM into four types, ranging from the removal of the clitoral hood to the most extreme form, infibulation, which involves the removal of the labia and the stitching of a seal across the vagina.

The prevalence of FGM in Afghanistan is difficult to determine due to a lack of comprehensive data and the clandestine nature of the practice. However, it is clear that Afghanistan is not the only country in the region grappling with this issue. FGM is a complex and deeply rooted problem that requires a multifaceted approach, including legal measures, education, and cultural sensitivity, to effectively address and eradicate it.

Female circumcision from a sociocultural perspective

Female circumcision, also known as female genital mutilation (FGM), is a practice that has been carried out for thousands of years. It is associated with the norms and values of patriarchal societies. While it is predominantly performed in Africa, it is also known to occur in parts of the Middle East and Asia, including Afghanistan.

From a sociocultural perspective, the following justifications have been used to support FGM:

• Protection and proof of virginity as a prerequisite for an honourable marriage
• Purifying/cleaning women
• A prerequisite for becoming a woman in the fullest sense
• Preventing extreme sexual pleasure in women
• Protecting women against various disorders such as hysteria or over masturbation
• Preventing mental disorders such as depression, insanity, and kleptomania
• Reducing sexual desire and restraining women from promiscuity
• Ensuring a high social status for women
• Preventing infertility

However, it is important to note that none of these arguments are scientifically validated. FGM has no health benefits and severely impairs the physical, psychological, and social health of the victim in both the short and long term. It also violates fundamental ethical principles and human rights.

In Afghanistan, there is limited information available about FGM. Some sources claim that it is not practised at all in the country, while others suggest that it occurs in the south, near the border with Pakistan. It is important to note that FGM is a cultural phenomenon and is not a religious practice in Islam.

Female circumcision from a medical perspective

Female circumcision, also known as female genital mutilation (FGM), is a practice with no medical benefits that severely impairs the physical, psychological, sexual, and social health of the victim in both the short and long term.

From a medical perspective, FGM has no health benefits and instead leads to several short-term and long-term health problems, some of which can be fatal. Short-term complications include tetanus, necrosis, systemic or local infection with HIV, hepatitis B and C, and other viruses, inability to urinate, and damage/injury to neighbouring organs such as the urinary canal and intestines. Long-term complications include chronic vaginal or lower abdominal infections, menstrual irregularities, painful menstruation, obstruction of menstrual flow, difficulty with urination and persistent urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence, injuries to the reproductive system and infertility, abscess, scars, and cyst formation, pregnancy complications and neonatal deaths, painful and unpleasant sexual intercourse, and psychological trauma, loss of motivation, anxiety, and depression.

The clitoris and labia minora, the parts of the genitalia that are mutilated by circumcision, are covered by rich neural networks and are sensitive to sexual stimulation. Loss of these sensitive organs results in vaginal dryness, making it more difficult to have pleasure and orgasm. This can lead to sexual dysfunction and unhappiness in both the woman and her partner. Narrowing of the vaginal opening can also cause pain and bleeding during penetration.

However, there is one exception to these devastating effects: the hoodectomy or clitoral hood reduction. This procedure involves the removal of redundant skin from the clitoral hood, which can increase pleasure during intercourse and facilitate orgasm.

FGM is performed in 30 countries in western, eastern, and north-eastern Africa, in parts of the Middle East and Asia, and within some immigrant communities in Europe, North America, and Australia. Afghanistan is one of the countries where FGM is present, mainly in the south, bordering Pakistan.

Female circumcision from an ethical perspective

Female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as female genital cutting (FGC) and female circumcision, is a practice observed in parts of the world, including some countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Afghanistan is one of the countries where FGM is reportedly practised, although the extent of its prevalence is unclear.

From an ethical standpoint, FGM is a violation of universally recognised fundamental ethical principles and human rights. It is a procedure that infringes on a woman's bodily autonomy and integrity, often performed without her consent and even against her will. Furthermore, FGM provides no health benefits and instead inflicts severe physical, psychological, sexual, and social harm on the victim in both the short and long term.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines FGM as:

> "all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons."

The WHO identifies four types of FGM:

• Type I: Removal of the clitoral hood, the skin around the clitoris (Ia), with partial or complete removal of the clitoris (Ib)
• Type II: Removal of the labia minora (IIa), with partial or complete removal of the clitoris (IIb) and the labia majora (IIc)
• Type III: Removal of all or part of the labia minora (IIIa) and labia majora (IIIb), complete removal of the clitoris, and the stitching of a seal across the vagina, leaving a small opening for the passage of urine and menstrual blood (infibulation)
• Type IV: Other miscellaneous acts, which may or may not include cauterisation of the clitoris, cutting of the vagina (gishiri cutting), and introducing corrosive substances into the vagina to tighten it (extreme and rare cases)

FGM is a cultural phenomenon and is not a religious practice in Islam, unlike male circumcision. However, it has spread to select Muslim communities outside its place of origin in Africa, which is why it is often associated with Muslims. FGM is sometimes performed under religious pretences, using Christianity or Islam as a justification to prevent a daughter from engaging in premarital sex and bringing shame to the family.

Afghanistan and Female Circumcision

There is limited information and conflicting reports regarding the prevalence of FGM in Afghanistan. While some sources claim that FGM is practised in Afghanistan, others refute this, stating that Afghans have not even heard of it. The lack of accurate information and the sensitive nature of the topic make it challenging to determine the extent of FGM in the country.

However, it is important to note that FGM is not a widespread issue in Afghanistan, and it does not appear to be as prevalent as in some other countries. Afghanistan faces many challenges, but FGM does not seem to be a significant problem on a scale comparable to other countries where it is practised.

Female circumcision from an Islamic perspective

Female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as female genital cutting (FGC) and female circumcision, is practiced in 30 countries in western, eastern, and north-eastern Africa, in parts of the Middle East and Asia, and within some immigrant communities in Europe, North America, and Australia. Afghanistan is one of the countries where FGM is prevalent.

Islamic Teachings on Female Circumcision

The Quran, the primary source of Islamic law, does not contain any verses that can be used as a basis for FGM. There are no Quranic references to any type of FGM. While there is clear support in the Sunnah (Prophet Muhammad's teachings and actions) for male circumcision in Islam, there is no evidence for FGM. The Prophet Muhammad did not prescribe or require his daughters and granddaughters to undergo circumcision.

Some hadiths (authentic sayings of the Prophet Muhammad) on female circumcision have been cited in relevant texts. However, these hadiths are generally considered weak by scholars and are not accepted as sound justificatory sources for a fatwa (Islamic legal ruling). In these hadiths, the Prophet Muhammad advised against overdoing female circumcision and emphasized the importance of the clitoris for women's pleasure and their husbands' satisfaction.

Islamic Scholars' Views on Female Circumcision

Prominent Islamic scholars, such as Prof. Hayreddin Karaman of Turkey and Yusuf al-Qaradawi, have concluded that Islam does not require FGM as a religious duty and does not advise or encourage it. They emphasize that FGM is not an Islamic obligation and that it should be abandoned due to its harmful physical, psychological, and sexual health consequences.

Islamic Countries' Stance on Female Circumcision

Several Islamic countries have taken steps to address FGM. For example, Egypt, a country with a high prevalence of FGM, banned all forms of female genital mutilation in 2007. However, the practice continues due to cultural and traditional beliefs. In 2015, Gambia's president Yahya Jammeh banned FGM, but this decision was later challenged.

Islamic Perspective on Women's Rights and Equality

Islam recognizes the equal status of men and women in the eyes of God. The Quranic verse, "O mankind! Be careful of your duty to your Lord Who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate and from them twain hath spread abroad a multitude of men and women," emphasizes the unity of the human spirit shared by both genders. Socially, the relationship between men and women in Islam is one of complementarity, not competition.

From an Islamic perspective, FGM is not supported by Quranic teachings or authentic hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad. Islamic scholars and religious authorities have spoken against FGM, and some Islamic countries have taken legal measures to prohibit the practice. Islam upholds the sanctity of the human body and prohibits causing harm without religious justification. Therefore, along with many contemporary Islamic scholars, it is believed that FGM should be abandoned.

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