Australian Doctors Considering Performing "Ritual Nicks" - Female Genital Mutilation's Evil Sister

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is one of the most barbaric, backward practices ever. Even though it has no basis in the Quran, people still feel compelled to chop off their female child's genitals for cultural and religious reasons. And this isn't just happening in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, where it has become an all too common practice, it is happening in the West, as well. FGM is illegal in western countries and even in some countries where it originates, but that doesn't stop people from performing it on their young girls anyway.

fgm2 tEFbr 16105

But rather than trying to educate these people about the hazards of female circumcision some western countries, like Australia, that had previously banned the practice are now considering legitimizing a lesser form of FGM called "ritual nicks."

The practice involving cutting a girl's genitals, sometimes with razors or pieces of glass, could be allowed in a clinical setting to stem illegal backyard procedures which are leaving young girls scarred for life.

The Royal Australian New Zealand College of Obstetricians will next month discuss backing "ritual nicks", a modified form of genital mutilation.

Although Australia banned it in the 1990s, it is still very common in immigrant communities, especially with the many Sudanese and Somalis moving to the country. The medical community is considering the 'ritual nick' as a result of the increase in the need for surgery for women and girls who have been butchered in backroom operations. But, as with every controversial issue, there are those who agree and those who disagree.

.. experts are divided on whether to allow the practice, given that in some cultures it is used to remove the sexual feelings of women. Backers of "ritual nick" said it was a superficial procedure leaving no long-term damage

RANZCOG secretary Gino Pecoraro said the policy would be discussed at next month's Women's Health Committee meeting.

"We will need to start to think about [its introduction] but we would have to speak to community leaders from Australia," Dr Pecoraro said.

"If a nick could meet the cultural needs of a particular woman, then it might save her from going through what can really be drastic surgery.

"But we need to make sure we do not legitimise the ritualistic maiming of children.".

Education needs to start with their local religious leaders. The clerics and imams need to tell these people that FGM is not an Islamic requirement. Rather than issuing stupid fatwas like breastfeeding your male colleagues, they need to issue a fatwa banning FGM. It is an evil form of child abuse. No young girl should be subjected to it. Then there need to be some laws enacted that would penalize any parent that is found to have performed FGM on their child. The 'ritual nick' is simply legitimizing and hence perpetuating a crime.

There are some cultural practices from peoples of other cultures that the West can enjoy. This is not one of them. It needs to go by the way of the dinosaur.