A Wound Rubbed With Hot Chili
"An open wound rubbed with salt or hot chili -- it felt like that," says Hibo Wardere. Wardere, now 46, was subjected to genital mutilation in her native country of Somalia when she was six. Female genital mutilation is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as medically unnecessary modifications of the female genital organs. For Wardere, this meant that her labia and clitoris were cut off and the remaining tissue was stitched together, leaving a tiny hole the size of a matchstick. Wardere was not alone in this- in Somalia, 98% of women and girls between the age of 15 and 49 have had their genitals mutilated (Mohamed).
Female genital mutilation is a complicated issue rooted in cultural norms and in the subjugation of women. It is mostly carried out on girls between infancy and age 15 (Mohamed). Although most procedures are done in homes, some are performed in hospitals. There are four categories of genital mutilation: type 1, partial or total removal of the clitoris; type 2, removal of the clitoris and the labia; type 3, narrowing the vaginal opening through the creation of a covering seal; and type 4, where all of these procedures are performed (Nour). While there are no medical reasons for any of these procedures, cultural traditions have perpetuated female genital mutilation for thousands of years. How do modern societal ideals continue the practice of female genital mutilation?
Many of these procedures are performed to fulfill the societal ideal and culture in Somalia about marriage. If a woman does not have this procedure done, she will not be accepted by her husband’s family. It is often thought that if a woman does not have this procedure done, she is no longer a virgin and is thought of as a prostitute (Abathun, Asresash, Sundby, Gele). Additionally, female genitals are seen as “dirty,” and this procedure is necessary to remove the “unclean” parts of women (Abathun, Asresash, Sundby, Gele).
In addition to making a woman more desirable for marriage, the procedure is done to control female sexuality. The removal of the clitoris has no health benefits and serves only to reduce female sexual desires (Boseley). Although there are serious medical complications associated with female genital mutilation, approximately 99% of women believe that the tradition should still continue (Mohamed). Young girls who undergo this procedure are often old enough to remember it, and they, therefore, experience severe post-traumatic stress and develop fears regarding sex and childbirth (Boseley). These consequences contribute to the control of female sexuality, and often the pain and fear of female genital mutilation is enough to prevent young girls from wanting to have sex.
Although the prime minister of Somalia has vowed to stop female genital mutilation from happening, little has been done. Since 2014, the most severe form of infibulation has been banned (Daly). Unfortunately, only 33% of women and girls think that this issue should stop, although this statistic is significantly higher in places where girls are educated (Mohamed).
Although there has been a lot of debate, little progress has been achieved. However, women like Wardere have become more vocal about female genital mutilation and have inspired activists around the world to work to change this issue. With increased awareness comes further change, and hopefully, at some point in the near future, these stories of genital mutilation will become events of the past.
Works Cited
Works Cited
Abathun, Asresash Demissie, Johanne Sundby, and Abdi A. Gele. International Journal of Women's Health. Dove Medical Press, 06 Oct. 2016. Web. 12 Mar. 2018. <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5065096/>.
Boseley, Sarah. "What Is Female Genital Mutilation and Where Does It Happen?" The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 06 Feb. 2014. Web. 08 Mar. 2018. <https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/feb/06/what-is-female-genital-mutilation-where-happen>.
Daly, Claire. "Somali Government Pledges to Fight FGM at First National Forum." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 29 July 2016. Web. 08 Mar. 2018. <https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/29/somali-government-pledges-to-fight-fgm-at-first-national-forum>.
Mohamed, Hawa Aden. "Breaking the Silence in the World Capital of Female Genital Mutiliation." CNN. N.p., 5 July 2017. Web. 07 Mar. 2018. <https://www.cnn.com/2017/07/05/africa/somalia-fight-to-end-fgm/index.html>.
Nour, Nawal M. Reviews in Obstetrics and Gynecology. MedReviews, LLC, 2008. Web. 12 Mar. 2018. <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2582648/>.
Ritchie, Meabh. "'This Is What It's like to Pee after Female Genital Mutilation'." BBC News. BBC, 24 Apr. 2016. Web. 07 Mar. 2018. <http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-36101342>.
I really enjoyed your use of personal anecdotes especially in your hook, it really engages your reader. I was surprised by the fact that many women believe that FGM should still continue, why do you think this is so?
ReplyDeleteLike Rebecca, I really appreciate the way you use personal anecdotes in your hook. It makes the reader understand a topic that is hard to understand otherwise. This is one of the only Africa issue articles that show a blatant human rights violation by a very serious human right. That's why I was so surprised that it existed. Why do you think people haven't done anything about it- especially the UN or human right s organizations?
ReplyDeleteI found your hook to be very interesting - it grabbed my attention right away. Your entire article is very organized and provides a lot of strong evidence and information. The entire thing shocked me - I can't even imagine what or why. Does Africa have a population issue now that FGM has been effective in girls abstaining from sex?
ReplyDeleteWhat really surprised me - or shall I say astounded me - is that 98% of "women and girl between the age of 15 and 49 had their genitals mutilated." That striking statistic itself is what captivated me into your article since it is a flagrant abuse of human right. I appreciate the way you explained the issue well with evidence and support. My question to you is, what made you interested in writing about this topic?
ReplyDeleteI was really intrigued by the hook you used because it didn't seem as though you were talking about FGM and then you transitioned nicely into the article with strong evidence. My question is that why do you think that why do you think few to any aren't speaking out?
ReplyDelete