Many things are hidden from the public eye, but one of the most important things to keep in mind is that there is no such thing as a free lunch. There is always a price to pay for the privilege of living in a society where the majority of people are denied the right to live in peace and dignity. The price of freedom is not just the freedom to be free, it is also the ability to enjoy the fruits of that freedom. Freedom is a gift that is given to us by our Creator, and we must give it back to Him in return for His gift of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It is our responsibility as human beings to take care of those who are less fortunate than we are, to provide for their basic needs, and to make sure that they have the opportunity to achieve their full potential. We have a responsibility to ensure that all of our fellow citizens are treated with dignity and respect and that we do everything in our power to protect the rights of all people to participate fully in society and enjoy their human rights. This is why I believe that the United States of America should be a leader in promoting and protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms of women, children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups. I am proud to call myself a feminist and I will continue to fight for women’s rights as long as I live.
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In the past few years, there has been a great deal of attention paid to the issue of female genital mutilation (FGM), a practice that has existed in many cultures for thousands of years. FGM involves the partial or total removal of a girl’s external genitalia for non-medical reasons, such as cultural or religious beliefs, or to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. In some cultures, this practice is carried out on girls as young as six years of age, while in others it can take place as early as five years old. Based on a recent report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 1.4 million girls and women have undergone this type of genital cutting, which is often performed on young girls in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, as well as in some Muslim-majority countries in Europe and North America. As a result of these practices, many girls are left with severe physical and mental health consequences, including severe pain, bleeding, infections, scarring, infertility, and loss of sexual function. Many girls who have been cut are also at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C, herpes simplex virus (HSV), genital warts, genital ulcers, penile cancer, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and cervical cancer. While there are no reliable statistics on the number of girls or women who undergo this procedure each year, experts estimate that as many as 100,000 women and girls worldwide are affected by this barbaric practice. Even though this issue has received considerable media attention, very little is known about the extent of this problem or the impact that it has on women. A recent study conducted by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (JHSPH) in Baltimore, Maryland, found that, in addition to its negative health effects, female circumcision is associated with a host of negative social and economic consequences. For example, a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine in January 2011 showed that female circumcisions were linked to higher rates of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, sexual dysfunction, and HIV infection. These negative effects are not limited to women; male circumcision has also been shown to have negative consequences for both men and their partners. Female circumcision also harms men’s sexual functioning, leading to erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, decreased sexual desire and decreased satisfaction with sexual intercourse. Furthermore, studies have shown that women are more likely than men to experience pain during the procedure, pain that can last for days or even weeks after the operation. Women who were circumcised as infants are at an increased risk for complications during childbirth and for postpartum hemorrhage, both of which can be life-threatening. Finally, research has shown a link between the practice and a range of other health problems, ranging from depression and anxiety disorders to increased risks of HIV transmission and genital herpes. To date, no government agency has taken any action to address the health and social problems that result from this harmful practice, nor has the American Medical Association (AMA), the nation’s largest professional organization of physicians, taken a position on it. What is your opinion on this topic? Do you have any comments or questions about this article?