Complicated Midwifery. Updated. Mrs Eze
PHARMFUL CULTURAL PRACTICES
INTRODUCTION
Cultural or traditional practices reflect the values and beliefs passed on during the socialization process.
Many of these practices affect reproductive health.
Some cultural practices are harmful and rooted in ancient traditional cultural and religious rituals passed down through generations.
These practices often have negative effects on the physical, psychological, and social well-being of women and girls.
Traditional practices affecting reproductive health differ from one society to another.
Definition
Harmful Cultural Practices:
Practices that are dangerous to specific population groups within the community, especially women and children.
Types of Harmful Cultural Practices
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) or Cutting
Harmful Nutritional Practices (e.g. food taboos)
Early Marriage and Early Pregnancy
Harmful Delivering Practices
Male Child Preference
Wife Inheritance, etc.
FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM)
Definition
FGM comprises all procedures involving partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs, whether for cultural or other non-therapeutic reasons.
Prevalence of FGM
Globally, it is estimated that between 100 and 140 million girls and women have undergone such procedures.
3 million girls are at risk of this practice every year.
FGM is performed on girls aged between birth to 10 years, although it can occur at any age.
The practice of FGM is prevalent state to state and country to country, notably:
In Nigeria, it is estimated that 60% of Nigerian women are genitally mutilated.
Reports suggest 40.5% of all adult Nigerian women undergo female genital cutting yearly, affecting 85 - 114 million women.
2 million women/children undergo FGM yearly.
Classification of FGM
Type I: Excision of the prepuce (the clitoral hood) with or without excision of part or all of the clitoris (often referred to as "Sunna").
Type II: Excision of the prepuce and clitoris, along with partial or total excision of the labia minora.
Type III: Infibulation, where the labia majora are sewn together, leaving a tiny passage for urine and menstrual flow.
Type IV: Unclassified types, which include:
Pricking or piercing of the clitoris or labia minora.
Stretching of the clitoris and/or labia minora.
Cauterization or burning of the clitoris and surrounding tissues.
Consequences of FGM
Health Implications: FGM is known to cause:
Extensive physical damage, including sexual dysfunction and pain.
Higher risks of complications during childbirth, including prolonged labor and increased maternal mortality.
Psychological consequences, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Risk of infertility and increased incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) due to exposure to unsanitary conditions during the procedure.
PREVENTION OF HARMFUL TRADITIONAL PRACTICES
Ways to Prevent FGM and Other Harmful Practices
Public Enlightenment: Use of media (radio, television) to educate the public about the negative effects of these practices, encouraging them to desist.
Legal and Policy Reforms: Enacting and enforcing strict penalties for perpetrators of harmful traditional practices.
Advocacy: Encouraging community involvement and support for the eradication of these practices through NGOs and government initiatives.
Education and Awareness:
Establishment of more schools to provide education aimed at both boys and girls.
Making school fees affordable to increase enrollment of the girl child.
REASONS FOR FGM
No scientific basis supports the practices; instead, reasons are largely based on superstitions and tradition:
Viewed as a rite of passage into womanhood and family honor.
Curbing promiscuity and preserving virginity.
Customary beliefs about health and
PHARMFUL CULTURAL PRACTICES
INTRODUCTION
Cultural or traditional practices reflect the values and beliefs passed on during the socialization process.
Many of these practices affect reproductive health, influencing the health outcomes for women and girls.
Some cultural practices are harmful and rooted in ancient traditional cultural and religious rituals passed down through generations, often perpetuating cycles of discrimination and harm.
These practices often have negative effects on the physical, psychological, and social well-being of women and girls, leading to long-term consequences on their health and development.
Traditional practices affecting reproductive health differ from one society to another, reflecting the diverse cultural contexts and their specific historical backgrounds.
Definition
Harmful Cultural Practices:
Practices that are dangerous to specific population groups within the community, especially women and children, often violating their rights and compromising their health.
Types of Harmful Cultural Practices
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) or Cutting: A practice involving the alteration of female genitalia for non-medical reasons.
Harmful Nutritional Practices: Including food taboos that may lead to malnutrition or poor health outcomes for women and children.
Early Marriage and Early Pregnancy: Often resulting in health risks and limiting educational opportunities for young girls.
Harmful Delivering Practices: Including unsafe birthing practices that increase maternal and infant mortality rates.
Male Child Preference: A cultural tendency that values male offspring over females, often leading to gender-based discrimination.
Wife Inheritance: A practice where widows are inherited by male relatives, impacting women's rights and autonomy.
FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM)
Definition
FGM comprises all procedures involving partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs, whether for cultural or other non-therapeutic reasons, often justified under the guise of tradition or religion.
Prevalence of FGM
Globally, it is estimated that between 100 and 140 million girls and women have undergone such procedures, with millions more at risk.
3 million girls are at risk of this practice every year, indicating the need for urgent interventions.
FGM is performed on girls aged between birth to 10 years, although it can occasionally occur at any age, reflecting its entrenched status in some cultures.
The practice of FGM is prevalent from region to region, country to country, often associated with specific ethnic or cultural groups. Notably:
In Nigeria, it is estimated that 60% of Nigerian women are genitally mutilated.
Reports suggest 40.5% of all adult Nigerian women undergo female genital cutting yearly, affecting 85 - 114 million women.
2 million women/children undergo FGM yearly.
Classification of FGM
Type I: Excision of the prepuce (the clitoral hood) with or without excision of part or all of the clitoris (often referred to as "Sunna").
Type II: Excision of the prepuce and clitoris, along with partial or total excision of the labia minora, often resulting in severe physical and psychological consequences.
Type III: Infibulation, where the labia majora are sewn together, leaving a tiny passage for urine and menstrual flow, often leading to lifelong complications.
Type IV: Unclassified types, which include:
Pricking or piercing of the clitoris or labia minora.
Stretching of the clitoris and/or labia minora.
Cauterization or burning of the clitoris and surrounding tissues, often performed in unsanitary conditions.
Consequences of FGM
Health Implications: FGM is known to cause:
Extensive physical damage, including sexual dysfunction and intense pain during intercourse.
Higher risks of complications during childbirth, including prolonged labor and increased maternal mortality rates.
Psychological consequences, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.
Risk of infertility and increased incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) due to exposure to unsanitary conditions during the procedure, leading to long-term health issues.
PREVENTION OF HARMFUL TRADITIONAL PRACTICES
Ways to Prevent FGM and Other Harmful Practices
Public Enlightenment: Use of media (radio, television) to educate the public about the negative effects of these practices, encouraging them to desist and fostering community dialogue around alternatives.
Legal and Policy Reforms: Enacting and enforcing strict penalties for perpetrators of harmful traditional practices, providing legal protection for women and girls.
Advocacy: Encouraging community involvement and support for the eradication of these practices through NGOs and government initiatives to promote human rights.
Education and Awareness:
Establishment of more schools to provide education aimed at both boys and girls, promoting gender equality.
Making school fees affordable to increase enrollment of the girl child, which can combat early marriage.
Community awareness programs that challenge traditional beliefs and promote the health and rights of women and girls.
REASONS FOR FGM
No scientific basis supports the practices; instead, reasons are largely based on superstitions and tradition:
Viewed as a rite of passage into womanhood and a means of establishing family honor and cohesion.
Curbing promiscuity and preserving virginity are often cited as justifications for the practice, which perpetuates harmful gender stereotypes.
Customary beliefs about health and hygiene are sometimes invoked, despite evidence to the contrary, leading to continued practices that endanger the health of women and girls.