Female Circumcision Link With A.i.d.s. (Press, 6 April 1988)

A report published on 6 April 1988 highlights the concerning link between female circumcision and the spread of AIDS, particularly in certain African regions where the practice is prevalent. The crude and often dangerous procedure is carried out by village midwives using unsterilised instruments such as kitchen knives and broken glass, leading to severe health complications, including infection, disability, and sometimes death. It is estimated that up to 74 million women have undergone female circumcision, which can cause various health issues, including chronic pain, urinary retention, and infertility. The World Health Organisation (WHO) acknowledges the dangers of the practice but has historically resisted external pressure to take legislative action against it, advocating instead for change to originate from the affected countries. This approach may shift following a recent global conference on AIDS prevention in London, where 14 countries pledged urgent action to combat HIV transmission. HIV is primarily spread through the exchange of contaminated bodily fluids, and in Africa, the main modes of transmission include heterosexual interactions and mother-to-child transmission, with an estimated three-quarters of AIDS victims being women in areas where female circumcision is commonplace. The WHO categorises different types of female circumcision, ranging from the mild removal of the clitoral prepuce to more extreme forms like infibulation, which involves extensive mutilation and closing of the vulva with stitches. The report indicates that the traumatic nature of these procedures contributes to an increased risk of HIV transmission. Women often face painful sexual experiences due to complications arising from circumcision, leading some couples to resort to alternative practices like anal intercourse. As awareness of the health hazards associated with female circumcision grows, organisations such as the Nigerian Women’s Centre are campaigning for its prohibition and highlighting the need for urgent international support to combat this issue. While the practice remains entrenched in the cultures of over 30 countries, government response has been largely inadequate. Only one nation, Sudan, has officially responded to calls for banning female circumcision. In stark contrast, Kenya has made efforts to discourage the practice. The intersection of female circumcision with the AIDS epidemic serves as a call to action for both local and global health authorities to address this pressing public health concern.

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