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Diving Head-First into Women’s Oppression: FGM in UAE

Updated: Sep 7, 2021


Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a dangerous tradition that has plagued women for centuries and has also been a controversial topic in the UAE.


The World Health Organization has defined FGM or female circumcision as the ‘process of partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injuries to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. Globally, FGM has affected 200 million girls and women, and currently, about 2 million girls are at risk of being circumcised.


The practice has sparked much debate for its cultural significance and social importance. Additionally, the procedure has caused significant physical and psychological pain to young girls and women. Despite the ramifications, it is still prominent in many African countries and the Middle East. Strategies have been developed internationally to bring awareness on the procedure and its effect on women.


History of FGM & its Significance in UAE


The origin of FGM can be traced back to the Nile Valley in Egypt during the 5th century BC, thus receiving the name of ‘pharaonic circumcision'. FGM has also been associated with slavery. Somalian women in the early 1600s were circumcised to conserve their purity and disable their ability to copulate and were then sold off to wealthy merchants.


The UAE’s has taken measures to combat FGM, placing a ban on it in state hospitals. However, tribes who view the process as a custom, necessitate the child’s families to get them circumcised through traditional methods. New research has revealed that 74.4% of women had been circumcised by ritual circumcisions. The daughters of the families who decline to get circumcised are often disregarded in their community, especially when looking for potential spouses. The girls and women who haven’t been circumcised are seen as lacking in moral education.


In a 2011 study, Wafa Marzouqi conducted a survey for 200 Emaritis on both sexes regarding FGM and revealed that:

  • 34% of the female participants were circumcised.

  • Of those who underwent FGM, 40% supported FGM and intended their daughters to get circumcised in the future.

  • 82% of all female participants and 99% of men were against FGM.


In 2020, 1035 Emaritis were surveyed on FGM, including 831 women and 204 men. The outcomes suggested that:

  • 34% of the female respondents were circumcised.

  • 13.7% of participant’s daughters had undergone FGM.

  • Almost 73% of all participants were opposed to FGM.


Social Influence of FGM


FGM has traditionally been viewed as a social norm. The need to conform and be socially accepted in the community is a significant factor contributing to its prevalence. Consequently, societal pressure builds on families to cut their daughters to prepare them for adulthood and marriage. According to some social norms, female circumcision leads girls in maintaining their purity, safeguarding fertility, and heightening sexual pleasure for men. It is also viewed as proof of pre-marital virginity and diminishes the need for extracurricular sex.


Similar to social conventions, gender norms also play an essential role in promoting FGM. Factors associated with gender norms include modesty, sexual repression, hygiene and aesthetics. The custom portrays the manifestation of patriarchal oppression, where women are being held in the subordinate status*.


In the UAE, the prevalence of FGM can be linked to gendered-social factors and the notion of FGM as beneficial for marital prospects. Research revealed that men who highlighted the significance of marrying circumcised women also considered circumcising their future daughters (21.6%)


A 2011 weekly essay included in the magazine Desert Dawn, published by students at Dubai Women's College, introduced quotes from women who had been circumcised. Medical student Mariam Humaid talked about her friend, Alia Saeed, 22, who was circumcised against her will when a man proposed to her and placed FGM as a requirement for marriage.


Cultural and Religious Affects of FGM


FGM is customarily performed between six and eight, or even at infancy, as cultural practices. Al Awar et al. (2020) established that out of 831 Emarati women, 48% reported they were circumcised during infancy and 49% during childhood.


The process is usually performed as part of a ceremony accompanied by music, food, and gifts. Religious leaders with no prior medical knowledge tend to perform the procedure with tools ranging from scissors, knives or hot objects. Moreover, it is sometimes performed in groups, utilising the same instruments on all women, usually in a non-sterile environment. Al Awar et al. (2020) also reported that 16.9% of women were mutilated in an unclean environment.


Religion plays a dominant role in the advocacy of female circumcision. FGM has been strongly associated with Islam. However, modern scholars have confirmed that there is no evidence suggesting it as a religious requirement. Dr Ahmed Al Qubaisi, president of the Department of Islamic Studies at the UAE University, quotes in Desert Dawn, "Even if the simplest female circumcision is beneficial to men, we should not forget that it may harm the girl physically and psychologically and in Islam, we are not allowed to favour one party over the other." Despite this, many Muslims conform to the practice. Al Awar et al. (2020) indicated that 5.5% of women were circumcised due to religious obligations.



Physical and Psychological Impact of FGM


The immediate physical complications of FGM include bleeding, shock, extreme pain, and urine retention. Infections such as HIV, UTI, and herpes simplex virus (HSV) is also prominent if the procedure was performed under non-sterile environments. Long-term consequences involve keloid formation, menstrual and sexual problems, infertility, pregnancy and delivery complications. Al Awar et al. (2020) noted the severe health difficulties women had faced after undergoing the mutilation. Around 30% of women had reported bleeding, pain, infection, problems with sexual intercourse, delivery and urination.


FGM has been divided into four types:

  • Type I -Type II (common in around 80% cases)

  • Type III (most extreme)

  • Type IV

Al Awar et al. (2020) suggested that Type I (62.8%) was most common, followed by Type II (16.6%) and Type III (5%). Similarly, women who had Type III had more severe complications.


Female circumcision may also cause trauma and trigger psychological problems like anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD, psychosis and neuroses. It can also affect the girl’s social life, where complications could prohibit her from social participation. Al Awar et al. (2020) indicated that almost 30% of women faced emotional distress after the procedure. In addition, men also faced penetration difficulties, infection and wounds, which could be reasons for divorce.


The Government and International Response


Both WHO and UNICEF have firmly pushed for legal frameworks and international support to end FGM. In 2016, the first evidence-based guidelines demonstrating the health problems from FGM was initiated by WHO and UNICEF-UNFPA. Moreover, in 2018, WHO released a clinical manual on female circumcision to enhance understanding, create awareness and improve the skills of health professionals concerning FGM.


Currently, there is a strong need for action in completely eradicating the procedure and educating families about its dangers. According to the National News, FGM is banned in government hospitals and clinics, but remains a legal and prevalent practice in many places. Al Awar et al. (2020) reported that 50.5% of respondents were unaware of FGM’s legality. Furthermore, educated and employed women were more aware of the risks of FGM, signifying the major significance of female education in stopping the practice.


Hence, there should be stricter actions by institutions to condemn the practice and invigorate women’s rights. More evidence on FGM needs to be built. Healthcare systems should be enhanced by ensuring counselling and other medical resources to women who have been circumcised. Maitha Mohammed, 22, speaks about this in Desert Dawn, urging action, "The authorities must play a better advocacy role," she states. "We are suffering today from the lack of resources and information regarding the circumcision of girls, which prevents individuals from gaining the knowledge about such procedures, especially if it was carried out by unqualified doctors or individuals."


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Rifah Maryam
Rifah Maryam
Sep 02, 2021

so informative & such an important topic which should be talked about more!

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