Am I Not Human: Female Circumcision

Dec 27th, 2008 By Marenda Taylor When we think of circumcision what usually comes to mind is the removal of the foreskin of an infants penis in a clean hospital with sanitized tools. When I think of circumcision I shutter and squirm thinking of the 200+ million young girls and women in various parts of Africa and the middle east whose genitals have been (or will be) mutilated in the name of female circumcision also known as FGM (female genital mutilation). What’s the big deal, why do I care, and why should you? According to the World Health Organization: Female genital mutilation (FGM) includes procedures that intentionally alter or injure female genital organs for non-medical reasons. FGM is internationally recognized as a violation of the human rights of girls and women. It is mostly carried out on young girls sometime between infancy and age 15 years. An estimated 100 to 140 million girls and women worldwide are currently living with the consequences of FGM. Common Health Consequences of Female Circumcision Include: Death Hemorrhaging Infertility Shock Damage to other organs Infection Urine retention Extreme scar tissue Cysts Painful menstruation cycles Torn bladder/vaginal walls Nerve damage Child birth obstruction Painful sexual intercourse Inability to experience sexual pleasure What is Female Circumcision? Depending on the region and culture female circumcision can include any and/or all of the following: Removing the hood of the clitoris. Removing the clitoris. Removing part or all of the labia minora. Removing part or all of the labia majoria. Sewing the vaginal opening closed leaving an extremely small opening for the passing of urine/menstrual blood. Stretching the clitoris and/or labia Burning the clitoris and surrounding tissue. Scraping the vagina. Inserting acidic substances into the vagina to shrink or narrow the vagina. These circumcisions are not usually done in a clean hospital with sterile tools (but some are). Many of these circumcisions take place in small villages with stones, razors, scissors, knives, and no anesthetic. Most people cannot even fathom any sharp instrument coming close to their genitalia for any reason. In America, women pierce the hood of their clitoris to intensify sexual pleasure. Its unimaginable that there are parts of the world where women are pressured into removing any part of their PRIVATE parts…. Yes, we are talking about young girls and women being tied up, held down, and having their genitals butchered! This practice is not always done by force… but it is often an expectation (tradition) and a rites of passage. Some believe female circumcision garners respect and honor. This is a frightening practice and a dangerous way to gain respect or acknowledgment as a woman. In all honesty…as an outsider looking in, female genital mutilation seems like an extreme way to dishonor and disrespect a woman…by cutting off and discarding parts of the female anatomy… Who benefits from it? How human would I be if I didn’t ask or care? While it is never our place to dictate what people do with their bodies or to tell people how or what they should believe… do we not have a duty to educate people so that they are able to make informed decisions? Shouldn’t we do whatever we can to bring awareness and spark discussion surrounding the issue?

Trial opens in first Dutch genital cutting case

September 2, 2009 By Marcel Decraene A unique court case opens on Thursday in Haarlem: for the first time in the Netherlands, a man is on trial for female genital mutilation. A 30-year-old man of Moroccan origin is charged with mutilating his daughter. During a pro forma hearing earlier this year, the public prosecutor read the charges: “The accused is charged with wilfully and severely abusing his child. He is charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm on his daughter, Zoë, born in 2003, by cutting away the labia minora and the clitoris using scissors or another sharp implement.” The accused, Mustafa el M. (surname withheld for legal reasons) denies everything, including the charge that he repeatedly beat and bit the child in the face and on the arms. Islamic Dineke Korfker is a cultural anthropologist and midwife. She lived in Africa for 12 years and now works as a researcher on female genital mutilation for research organisation TNO in Leiden. Female genital mutilation, also referred to as female circumcision or genital cutting, is practised in countries that include Somalia, Sudan and Egypt. But not Morocco, the country in which the accused has his roots. Neither is it originally a Muslim practice, says Ms Korfker. “People often see it as being Islamic and think it’s prescribed by the religion, but the highest Islamic body, the Al-Azhar University in Egypt, has officially distanced itself from the practice and calls on people not to do it. It has taken a long time for them to dare to do so, but now they clearly distance themselves from it. In a country like Saudi Arabia, where you might expect it, it doesn’t occur at all; they don’t have the practice there.” Hidden Female genital mutilation is a criminal offence in the Netherlands, and it is outlawed by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. But victims often remain hidden, because the cutting takes place in a closed family setting. Vanessa Penn is a policy advisor at the Dutch Child Protection Council, a department of the Justice Ministry, and a specialist in the field of female genital mutilation: “It isn’t often properly detected, so the Child Protection Council doesn’t deal with many cases. It’s estimated that around fifty girls a year undergo genital cutting, but not all of these cases are referred to the Child Protection Council and the practice is not reported to the police often enough – rarely or never. It’s a criminal offence and falls under abuse. It’s a deliberate injury to health and a form of abuse, and if parents are involved it’s an aggravating circumstance.” Mustafa M.’s defence lawyer sees the five-year-old daughter’s statement as highly questionable and has applied for a second opinion from a legal psychologist. The girl and her sister have been taken into care.

Pioneering op gives female circumcision victims hope

September 2, 2009
By Olivia Sterns
For CNN

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Every day thousands of girls endure forced circumcision. It's a controversial cultural tradition common in parts of Africa, South America, Middle East and Asia and that regularly results in infection and even death.

The health dangers involved in this procedure, also known as female genital mutilation (FGM), are increasingly well-known and have lead to international efforts to ban the practice.

FGM is also the topic of the forthcoming film "Desert Flower," the true story of Somalian supermodel Waris Dirie.

The film, released later this month, tells the story of Dirie and her struggle with her own circumcision at the age of five. A former Bond Girl, Dirie has become a leading voice campaigning against FGM.

As traumatic as the physical consequences may be, victims say severe psychological and sexual problems also often develop from FGM that deserve attention too.

One Senegalese woman who was cut as a young girl describes living with FGM as a "wound that tortures me everyday of my life."

But a new treatment pioneered by a French doctor, Pierre Foldes, offers hope for victims of this practice.

Dr. Foldes began working with victims of female circumcision almost 30 years ago while volunteering in Burkina Faso.

"I met a population of women suffering from mutilation. Some of them asked me if I could fix things that were painful," he explained, referring to scar tissue that frequently develops over the clitoris.

"When I came back to France I realized there was absolutely no data on this, no technique."

Since then Foldes has developed a simple reconstructive procedure that removes the painful tissue and actually reconstructs the clitoris by cutting the ligaments to expose the original root.

After six to eight weeks, he says the area begins to appear normal. After six months feeling begins to come back.

"The results are getting better and better," Foldes told CNN. "72 to 75 percent [of patients] are back to normal sexuality after 18 months.

"We are working very hard on the evolution of the program and are involved in treating patients for up to two years," said Foldes, who currently operates on 80-100 women each month at a hospital outside Paris.

"The surgical procedure is only a small part of the whole problem. We have a whole team with psychologists that follow up with patients for months."

Dr. Foldes estimates he has operated on more than 3,000 women at his hospital in France. Because female genital mutilation is a crime in France, Dr. Foldes was able to get the French public health system to reimburse the cost of the operation and now roughly 70 percent of his patients receive treatment for free.

"It's like a rape," Foldes says, comparing the brutality and trauma involved in female circumcision. "It's very important to deal with the aggression and emotions to progressively get back to normal sexuality."

Over the years Foldes says has encountered some steep resistance against his work and has even received multiple death threats.

According to him, the threats "are coming from radical Islamic people," and that more than once men have come to his office with knives, but he will not be deterred.

An estimated 130 million women have undergone female circumcision. The procedure is typically performed in unsanitary conditions and often results in infections and fistula, an open wound that can develop in victims of FGM between the vagina and the anus after a failed childbirth.

Increasingly international organizations and governments are working to ban FGM, despite protests from religious and cultural groups hoping to defend the practice.

Father Loses Appeal in Genital Mutilation Case

September 1, 2009
By ANNIE YOUDERIAN

(CN) - A Senegal native seeking to protect his two young daughters from female genital mutilation in his homeland lost his appeal of a deportation order in the 5th Circuit.

Abou Kane entered the United States illegally in 1996, followed shortly by his wife. They had five children in the country, including two daughters who are under 10 years old.

Facing deportation in 2006, he filed for withholding of removal and protection under the Convention Against Torture Act, claiming his daughters would face forced genital mutilation if they came back to Senegal with him.

The immigration judge agreed to withhold the deportation order, noting that "it is, quite frankly, difficult for this court to expose two young U.S. citizens to this practice, simply because their parents were not of status in this country."

The government appealed, arguing that immigration law doesn't protect fathers from deportation based on a fear that his minor children - both U.S. citizens - would be persecuted.

The Board of Immigration Appeals agreed and reversed the immigration judge's opinion, ordering Kane's removal to Senegal. The board said it couldn't grant Kane relief based solely on fears about his daughters, who were free to stay in the United States with their mother. Even if they did move to Senegal with him, the board added, the family could likely prevent mutilation by settling in a relatively safe area.

The board also rejected Kane's claims for asylum and protection against torture.

Satisfied with the decision, the federal appeals court in New Orleans said the board's removal order was "supported by substantial evidence."

It rejected Kane's claim that the tribe's enforcement of genital mutilation against his daughters would, in effect, be persecuting him.

The board had acknowledged that there are cases where loved ones are harmed as a way of persecuting an asylum applicant. Those cases differ from Kane's, the board explained, because the applicant can show that he or she was the target of persecution.

"We see no reversible error in this decision," Judge Wiener wrote.

"Kane himself testified that Fulani tribal elders would likely enforce the practice against his daughters only because they believe that their culture compels them to do so," the court noted, "and not as a way to persecute Kane for any particular belief or characteristic that he exhibits."

Fight against female genital mutiliation continues

September 1, 2009 By Spero News Community elders in Kenya have condemned the age-old practice of female genital mutilitaion. Approximately 60% of women in Meru area of east Kenya experience the practice that removes the clitoris. The campaign against female genital mutilation in Kenya has received a major push from Meru community elders who condemned the age-old and illegal practice. The Meru Council of Elders, Njuri Ncheke, declared on August 30 they would abandon the practice at a function attended by Gender Ministers Esther Murugi. She deplored the fact that 37 communities in Kenya still practice FGM. Murugi said about 60 per cent of women in Meru in eastern Kenya undergo the rite, while in Central Province the figure stands at about 30 per cent. She said the ‘cut’ was now being carried out secretly, even by trained medical professionals. The declaration by the Njuri Ncheke came a day after 364 girls graduated from an alternative rite of initiation conducted by the Catholic Diocese of Meru. An official in the project, Mary Kawira, told CISA Saturday’s graduation brought to 551 girls who have undergone the alternative rite this year. Initiates undergo secluded training in life skills for a week but are not subjected to any surgical operation. "At the end of the week each girl is issued with a certificate of participation," Kawira said. "So far the fight the fight has been received positively and we are now trying to train members of the community so that in future they can run the project themselves."” Kawira said FGM is widespread in Tharaka, Igembe, Tigania, Meru South and Meru Central. "Mothers send their daughters to their grandmothers for the cut without the knowledge of the father. In other cases, out of peer pressure, daughters especially between the ages of 10 to 18 beg to undergo the cut," Kawira said.

Ethiopia: Parliamentarians Aim to Ignite Action Toward FGM Abandonment

August 31, 2009 Addis Ababba — Parliamentarians from Ethiopia and 7 African Countries last week completed a three day mission to set in motion a coordinated continental effort to shake off the deeply embedded Harmful Traditional Practice of Female Genital Mutilation / Cutting (FGM/C). The mission, hosted by Ethiopian members of the Pan African Parliamen Women's Caucus and in collaboration with the African Union,, was opened by Mufeerihat Kamil, Minister of Women's Affairs, the organizers said in a joint statement. "As Ethiopian members of the Pan African Parliamentarians Women's Caucus are hosting this conference because we feel it is time for us all to rapidly accelerate our achievements against this unacceptable violence against women." Anab Abdulkadir , Deputy Chairperson of PAP Women's Caucus and Member of Ethiopia Federal Parliament was quoted as having said. Data from the Ethiopia 2005 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) indicate that 74 per cent of women aged 15-49 have undergone some form of FGM/C. There are significant regional differences ranging from 27% (Gambela) and 29% (Tigray) to 92% (Afar) and 97% (Somali region). According to the DHS, There has been a 6% decline in prevalence of FGM/C from 80% to 74% between 2000 and 2005. Figures from a 1998 baseline and 2008 follow-up survey conducted by the National Association for Eradicating Traditional Harmful Practices (EGLDAM) estimates that the current prevalence rate is 56%. Given differences in methodology and sampling of the DHS and EGLDAM surveys, it is important to review the new DHS figures to verify actual rates of reduction. Data reveals that while there is significant decline in support for FGM/C, some may still be unable or unwilling to abandon it due to the complex set of beliefs and social constraints that surround the practice, the host partners said. "There are encouraging signs that the practice of FGM/C in Ethiopia is declining. We see this mission of the Pan-African Parliamentarian's Women Caucus as a major opportunity to mobilize efforts in Ethiopia and across Africa towards an intensified and coordinated affront on FGM/C to bring the fulfillment of the rights of girls and women into more immediate reality," the statement cited Fatima Hajiaig, Member of PAP from South Africa. As part of the mission, the 5 Parliamentarians from Ethiopia and 7 parliamentarians from other African countries received accounts of the pioneering work of Ethiopian NGOs - KMG and Rohi Wedu and observed the Community Dialogue process being supported across Ethiopia by the Ministry of Womens Affairs in collaboration with UNICEF, to break the cycle of FGM/C in Ethiopia. Powerful testimonials were shared by community members on their experiences related to FGM/C as well as the impact the intervention strategies have made on their lives. According to the organizers, the concrete outcome of the Mission was a set of 10 specific recommendations for review and adoption by the Pan-African Parliament to ensure a more active role of African Parliamentarian as champions and agents of change for FGM/C Abandonment both nationally and continentally. It was said that the Mission was the second to be undertaken by the Pan African Parliament's Women's Caucus since its establishment in October, 2008. The first was in Rwanda in November, 2008 where the members joined Rwandan women parliamentarians to cerebrate the victory of Rwanda in higher percentage of women in parliament and other key government decision-making structures. Support for the Mission was provided by the Association of European Parliamentarians for Africa (AWEPA), the Pan-African Parliament and UNICEF, Ethiopia in collaboration with the People's Representative of the Ethiopian Parliament.

RCN backs female genital mutilation study

September 1, 2009 By Steve Ford The Royal College of Nursing has given its backing to a government initiative to stamp out female genital mutilation. The government last week launched a study aiming to increase knowledge about women and girls affected by female genital mutilation in England. Staff working in the fields of maternity, obstetrics, gynaecology, and sexual health are being asked to complete a survey on the issue. The RCN has called on its members working in relevant fields to participate in the research. RCN women’s health adviser Diane Morris said the survey was likely to identify what further staff training and development may be required around the issue of women’s health. She said: “As we live in a culturally diverse country this piece of research is an important tool to examine how the education of nurses and midwives can be developed to deal with issues such as female genital mutilation. “It is likely to become more common for midwives and nurses to have to deal with the chronic problems that occur because of this practice,” he added.

Innovative Approach to Ending Female Genital Cutting in Africa Praised in New Book by Kristof and WuDunn

September 1, 2009

"Half the Sky" devotes chapter to uplifting story of nonprofit Tostan and its founder, Molly Melching, whose grassroots program has empowered over 4,000 communities in Africa to publicly abandon this centuries-old practice and lead movements for change in many other areas of their lives.

New York, NY (PRWEB) September 1, 2009 -- Tostan, an international nonprofit organization whose programs have catalyzed more than 4,000 villages in Senegal, Guinea, The Gambia and elsewhere to publicly abandon Female Genital Cutting (FGC) and child/forced marriage, is featured in Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn's new book, Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide_title_Visit HalftheSkyMovement.org.

The book, due for release September 8th, is a tour de force of women's oppression worldwide and describes advances now being made by women that not only improve their lives but also the welfare of their families and communities in some of the poorest regions of the world. The book cites the "stunning difference" being made by Tostan and its founder, Molly Melching, in the lives of thousands of young women whose communities have decided to abandon the practice of FGC after going through Tostan's education program, which engages communities to work on democracy, human rights, health, literacy, microcredit, and leadership.

Kristof and WuDunn emphasize the unique approach developed by Tostan to successfully address the practice of FGC, based on a deep understanding of local culture and the need for grassroots community leadership, not a top down imposition.

"We have achieved this breakthrough mainly because we have listened carefully to the communities and have followed their lead," says Melching, an Illinois native who has lived in West Africa for the past 35 years. "As shocking as FGC may be to some, we have come to understand that people were not following this practice to harm their daughters but rather that it was deeply rooted in their culture, accepted as the norm by the community, and adhered to because they love their daughters and want them to be accepted."

The book also highlights the important role played by language and respect in Tostan's program, noting Tostan's refusal to use the phrase "female genital mutilation" or to claim that it is "fighting" this practice. Melching explains that "harsh judgmental messages or impositions from the outside don't lead to substantial change and can actually be counterproductive, stimulating resistance and anger."

As Kristof and WuDunn note, Tostan has instead focused on a key insight -- in most cases the practice can only be addressed when large social networks come together to make collective decisions.

"For one family to give up FGC means stigma and total exclusion; a social death that no parent would wish for his or her daughter," Melching explains. "This is why we work through social networks, so that communities can discuss this practice in a way that is uniting rather than dividing, and come to consensus. When communities make the decision to stop, they announce it through a public declaration, which sends a powerful signal to the entire group that they are making this change."

A UNICEF evaluation released in September, 2008, confirmed that Tostan's model leads to long-term abandonment of the practice, and the Government of Senegal has decided to fully integrate Tostan's model into its national strategy for FGC abandonment. Tostan also recently announced a plan for rapid expansion, committing to reach 3,000 new communities in the next five years.

"We know that foot binding in China ended in a similar way, in one generation" says Melching. "The same is possible with FGC."

About Tostan: Tostan, the US 501c3 organization that Melching founded in 1991, currently has over 1,000 full-time staff and community facilitators, and is working in over 800 communities in eight countries in Africa. Its US office is based in Washington, D.C. Tostan has been the recipient of several awards including the 2007 Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize, the UNESCO King Sejong Prize for Literacy, and Sweden's 2005 Anna Lindh Award for Human Rights. For more information, please visit www.tostan.org.