The physical consequences of FGM are well described – both short-term (pain, hemorrhage, infection, fractures and death due to severe blood loss and acute infection) and long-term (gynecologic, obstetric and urological complaints). But what about the psychological impact of FGM? What are the immediate and long-term psychological effects on the women and girls who are forced or persuaded to undergo FGM?
How well do we understand the burden of psychological trauma associated with FGM?
The life of a FGM survivor will never be the same as before!
Hilary Burrage describes it well in her book Female Mutilation: ‟Then there are the deep psychological wounds. Whether she is persuaded to volunteer or harshly kidnapped, the child undergoing FGM has been betrayed, her trust destroyed, by some or all the people she holds most dear. No one was to protect her at her hour of greatest need!”
28 Too Many, an organization which provides knowledge and tools to those working to end FGM, describes the psychological impact as follows:
- Individual level:
- The “World Health Organization (2008, Annex 5) reported that immediate psychological trauma may stem from the pain, shock and the use of physical force by those performing FGM. In the long term, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression and memory loss may occur (Behrendt and Moritz, 2005).” Indeed, more and more publications and individuals talk about the importance of understanding the long-term psychological consequences of FGM and as a result the development of PTSD.
- Other consequences include poor self-image, failure to thrive and increased tendency towards the development of depression.
- This will be more pronounced in those women who can recall the event and who went through stage 3 (the most extreme form – infibulation).
- Relationship level:
- The impact of FGM at partner level can potentially include painful intercourse, reduced sexual satisfaction and a reduction in sexual desire. This can result in husbands having extramarital affairs with women who have not undergone FGM.
- 28 Too Many also describes relationship challenges at the family level. The cutter may be a family member, or family members may be very closely involved with the ceremony.
Survivors of FGM thus struggle at multiple levels, both physically and psychologically. Often, their closest family members and friends have been involved in the process, causing a sense of extreme betrayal, resulting in feelings of loneliness and isolation. Another way to look at the psychological issue of FGM is the short- and long-term impact. Short-term effects can include emotional shock and immense sadness, feelings of betrayal, anxiety and depression. Long-term impact includes the development of post-traumatic stress disorder, worsening anxiety and severe depression.
What can you do? What can I do?
We need to continue to listen and become more knowledgeable about the topic, all aspects of it. We must make the topic of FGM one that can be spoken about, and lift up the voices of the survivors!
Sources:
- https://www.28toomany.org/blog/the-psychological-effects-of-female-genital-mutilation-research-blog-by-serene-chung/
- https://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/topics/fgm/mental_problems_and_fgm/en/
- https://www.unfpa.org/resources/female-genital-mutilation-fgm-frequently-asked-questions#psychological_effects
- https://fgmtoolkit.gwu.edu/are-you-health-care-provider/what-are-mental-health-effects-fgmc#:~:
- https://www.endfgm.eu/female-genital-mutilation/