It
is a shame that we live in a world where, for some reasons, people of color are
disproportionately at disadvantage when it comes to equal access to education
opportunity, health care, and adequate standard of living like healthy
nutrition and clean environment. For instance, according to World Health Organization
(WHO), (2014), the rate at which HIV/Aids is spreading in the region of
Sub-Saharan Africa is very high compare to other parts of the world. 24.7
million People in this region are living with HIV/Aids according to the 2013
report. This makes Sub- Saharan Africa the most affected region in the world
(WHO, 2014). The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), (2015),
states,
In South Africa, Amadi-Ihunwo, (2008), also explores how social culture, religious belief, and illiteracy affect the epidemic of HIV/Aids. For instance, knowledge and awareness of HIV/Aids in South African communities is very low and poor. Their ignorance of what this disease is, when compared to that of African Americans, is even worse. According to the author, some South Africans blame sicknesses and deaths that resulted from HIV/Aids infection on “witchcraft practices” (P. 255). There is also the belief that people who are infected with HIV/ Aids are dirty; and as a result, people tend to avoid having any kind of contact with them. According to Amadi-Ihunwo, (2008),
Most
members of the school communities described those infected and in extreme cases
those affected directly or indirectly, as sacred and protecting themselves from
these sacred can only be possible when they are isolated (in play grounds,
staff rooms, toilets and some sports arenas),not discussing about it openly but
rather keeping silent about it (P. 256).
Female
Genital Mutilation (FGM)
In
Sub-Saharan African countries, the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
is not practiced for medical, sanitary, or therapeutic purposes; instead, it is
practiced as a marrow of tradition and a significant part of the culture. FGM
can be simply described as the circumcision of female. Berg and Denison,
(2012), described FGM as a practice that “Involves the partial or total removal
of, or injury to, the female external genital tissue for nontherapeutic
purposes” (p. 135). World Health Organization (WHO), for instance, has
described FGM as a practice or a procedure that has no medical or health
benefits to women, but at the same time, causes great harm, pain, and several
injuries to female genital area. The “Procedures can cause severe bleeding and problems
urinating, and later cysts, infections, infertility as well as complications in
childbirth and increased risk of newborn deaths” (p. Fact sheet N°241).
In
the international community, female genital mutilation (FGM) is considered as a
cruel and unhuman practice. According to the World Health Organization (WHO),
the practice is a violation of human right. It destroys the dignity, life, and
the pride of any woman or girl who experiences it. “It reflects deep-rooted
inequality between the sexes, and constitutes an extreme form of discrimination
against women.” The webpage stated further that the practice violates the right
of women to be free from torture, cruelty, and unusual punishment (WHO, 2014,
P. Fact sheet N°241).
In
addition, according to Berg and Denison, (2013), there are women and young
girls who have been mutilated or circumcised among immigrant population living
in civilized countries like the United States, France, and Australia. The
author noted that the majority of these women and girls were subjected to
genital mutilation when they traveled back to visit their native country (p.
838).
Actions
of a Human Services Professional
There
is no doubt that poverty, lack of education, and lack of adequate standard of
living are significant factors that contribute to many challenges and
disadvantages that women of color face in the world. A
human services professional who is trying to create or contribute to
significant changes, not just in the state and national level, but also in the
international level, must promote changes and advocate for the eradication of
world hunger, education of young men and women of color; and at the same time,
promote the awareness of challenges that women of color faces. He or she can
strive to promote awareness of these challenges through evidence-based research
studies and publications, organizing awareness and educational movement, and
lobbying and protesting peacefully at the United Nation events.
Ability
to still maintain positive and fruitful sexual development can give a victim of
female genital mutilation (FGM) the physical and mental hilling and strength
that she needs. A helping professional working with a family that supports or
practices female genital mutilation (FGM), must guide and educate the family
about healthy sexual development and practices. It is important to educate the
parents on how genital mutilation could physically and mentally affect the
health and the sexual development of anyone who experience it. The first
important step in providing counseling, guidance, and mental health
rehabilitation to a victim who has experienced genital mutilation is to show compassion,
understanding, and refrain from judgmental attitude.
Normally, when people seek professional counseling and guidance, they expect the counselor to have knowledge and understanding of their issue. They expect the counselor to be professional and be confidential in relating with their problem and concerns. Therefore, as a professional counseling practitioner, it is important to have awareness, knowledge and understanding of national and international issues that concerns women of color around the world. As noted by Berg and Denison, (2013), for instance, there are young and adult female population, who have been subjected FGM, in almost every society, and according to Mandell and Schram, (2012), human services professionals must possess positive attitude, personal values, skills, and knowledge needed to help this population (p. 111).
