WHAT IS INVOLVED IN FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION? WHO has categorised four broad types of Female Genital Mutilation:(a) Clitoridectomy:the excision of the prepuce without excision of the clitoris. (b) Excision:the excision of the prepuce and the clitoris together with partial or total excision of the labia manora. (c) In fibulation:the excision of part or all of the external genitalia and stitching or narrowing of the vaginal opening. (d) Type IV: All other procedures involving partial or total removal of the female genitalia for cultural or any other non-therapeutic reasons. WHERE IS IT PRACTICED? It is said to exist on almost every continent in the World but with pronounced frequency in Africa, Asia and South America. In Uganda, it exists among the Sabiny, Pokot, Tepeth, Nubian, Nandi, among the Somali and Ethiopian immigrants and in Isingiro in refugee camps by Somali refugees. WHY IS IT PRACTICED? There are five reasons usually cited as justification for the practice of female genital mutilation. (a) Custom and tradition:to maintain and preserve cultural identity by continuing the tradition. (b) Women’s sexuality: to control women’s sexuality by reducing their sexual desire and fulfilment. (c) Social pressure:where Female Genital Mutilation is widely practiced, family and friends create an environment in which the practice becomes a requirement of social acceptability. (d) Economic Gain: Currently the “Surgeons” are reported to be earning fifty thousand shillings per girl circumcised. There is also an amount of respect bestowed on them by the community. (e) Religion:Female Genital Mutilation is cultural and not a religious practice. However some Islamic religions use it to reinforce the practice. It is also practiced by Jews and Christians where it is not explicitly required. LAW – Uganda Booklet concludes:“Most of the communities believed that when a woman/girl fails to undergo FGM the following would occur: She will not bear children; childishness, inability to reason; thinness and sickness; demon possessed; She will not be allowed to enter the kraal or granary to pick cow dung or food; no dowry should be paid; and she will not be allowed to serve the elders. With exception of Isingiro, Nakivale Camp, where some Somalis live, girls aged 7 – 13 yrs undergo circumcision. The reasons for the practice were: Religion (Islam); control libido of women; preservation of virginity; and a way of appeasing the gods.” WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION? The answer to this question is extremely relevant to the disposal of the issues in this petition. I propose to quote vabatim from page 9 and 10 of the LAW – Uganda document:“Female Genital Mutilation has immediate, long term, psychosexual consequences and social consequences for a woman’s physical and mental health. Immediate Physical and Health consequences:§ Haemorrhage § Pain