Female Genital Mutilation – Dr. Maureen Muoneke

Outside of her work as a women’s health care practitioner, Dr. Maureen Muoneke has a strong interest in improving healthcare across West Africa. Dr. Maureen Muoneke is also an ardent supporter of banning the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM), a tradition that contributes to immediate physical and psychological damage and long-term health risks.

FGM involves cutting or removing outer parts of the vagina for non-medical purposes. It is practiced all over Africa, but most commonly in Mali, Guinea, Egypt, and Sudan. In some cultures, FGM is practiced for religious reasons or beliefs about femininity and promiscuity. The procedure has no health benefits and can lead to long-term complications.

Women and girls who have undergone FGM are more susceptible to vaginal and urinary tract infections, complications during pregnancy and childbirth, and menstruation issues. Since the procedure is often carried out in non-sterile conditions, it can also cause keloids and scar tissue to develop at the incision site. This can result in ongoing pain and a higher risk of infection.Close

The former owner of a women’s healthcare clinic, Dr. Maureen Muoneke serves as a medical consultant with the Georgia Division of Aging Services. Dr. Maureen Muoneke also makes frequent trips to Africa where she has worked with American Health Management to develop hospitals and advocated against female circumcision and infibulation practices.

Infibulation, a controversial and injurious procedure, is one type of female genital mutilation (FGM). According to the World Health Organization, FGM refers to any procedure that causes injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons.

FGM provides no health benefits and leads to a range of immediate and long term consequences that range from severe pain and urinary issues to scar tissue and infections. In spite of this, the practice is carried out for sociocultural reasons such as cultural norms and a belief that it prepares a girl for marriage and promotes virginity and marital fidelity. The practice occurs in more than thirty countries, but is concentrated within Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

Infibulation is one of the more severe types of FGM. It involves removal of the clitoris, labia minora, and most of the labia majora in addition to stitching the vaginal opening closed. Other types of FGM include type 1, where the clitoris is partially or fully removed, and type 2, where the labia minora is removed in addition to the clitoris. For additional information on the consequences and damage caused by FGM, visit http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/publications/fgm/fgm-obstetric-outcome-study/en/.

Tag: Female Genital Mutilation

Long-term Health Effects from Female Genital Mutilation

Types of Female Genital Mutilation