What is Female Sexual Mutilation

Female circumcision is central to African traditional religion and entails transgression of fundamental rights. However, the rationale for female circumcision seems to be consistent in most African societies, and is based for the most part on myth, ignorance of biological and medical facts, religion, and culture. The thinking and argument in many communities is that the clitoris is perceived variously as repulsive, filthy, foul smelling, dangerous to the life of the emerging newborn, and hazardous to the health and potency of the husband. This study therefore is an attempt to respond to the thesis that despite the right to freedom of religion or belief, including its manifestations, the right of ethnic, religious, and linguistic groups to enjoy their culture, the religio-cultural ritual of female circumcision as a rite of passage in Africa is shrouded with some traditional practices that has reconfigured the moral basis of female circumcision.