Universal-Womens-accesss-to-justice-Publications-Practitioners-Guide-Series-2016-ENG

V
WOMEN’S ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE 209
Immediate complications can include:
Severe pain;
Shock;
Haemorrhage (bleeding);
Tetanus or sepsis (bacterial infection);
Urine retention;
Open sores in the genital region; and
Injury to nearby genital tissue.
Long-term consequences can include:
Recurrent bladder and urinary tract infections;
Cysts;
Infertility;
Increased risk of childbirth complications and newborn
deaths; and
The need for later surgeries.
For example, the FGM procedure that seals or narrows a
vaginal opening (infibulation) needs to be cut open later to
allow for sexual intercourse and childbirth. Sometimes it is
stitched again, including after childbirth, hence the woman
goes through repeated opening and closing procedures, further
increasing and repeating both immediate and long-term
risks. 553
The Maputo Protocol requires States to undertake legislative
measures, supported by sanctions, to prohibit “all forms of
female genital mutilation, scarification, medicalisation and
para-medicalisation of female genital mutilation and all other
practices, in order to eradicate them”. 554
553
World Health Organization, Fact sheet No 241, above note 550.
554
Maputo Protocol, above note 524, Article 5(b).