Female Genital Cutting

This isn't the first time I have heard of this, I think it's a terrible thing for a female to go through, it is thought that up to 2000 girls may have been through this over the summer holidays in Britain even though it is illegal. Now that 'credit crunch' is a top catch phrase it seems that it has taken it toll, the Observer has been told there is evidence it continues unabated among communities with links to African, Arab and Asian countries, and "cutting parties" are going on.
"cutting parties" is a sickening thought in itself according to an article on the Guardian website police believe a girl as young as four weeks was subjected to this horror...an unsafe procedure that can cause an individual to bleed to death.
I believe this is inhumane and must be stopped, with ongoing support and education change can be made, though in a country such as Sierra Leone it is hard to change behaviours that have been engrained for so long, these people do not know differently this ritual is part of their core values, it's their culture.
The point is a human is having a right to a freedom taken a way with no choice, perhaps the option should be available with an age criteria.With on going action it is possible to see light at the end of the tunnel, we have a long way to go but again with EDUCATION and UNDERSTANDING a difference can be made. Never stop talking, believe and push for a better fairer future.

First time I have heard of this and im in such shock that i cant even put it in words.

wheni first saw this i was so suprised and sad.

it caused me pain to watch i cant even imagine how terrible it must be for young girls. I wonder how we could reach them in a way that doesnt make them feel like they are going against their culture and put a stop to this violation.

i cant even imagine being apart of it, though it is their culture. i dont belive it will stop pregancies and i cant fathom how it helps any.

im glad i now know about it.

I'm sorry Mariana, but this is presented as very one-sided. The cultural and religious implications of the activity are much further reaching than described here. The act is in large part an evil thing, through our Western perspective and without the context of many of these families. The act is done because of traditional beliefs in medicine and cleanliness in many places.

Many find this a horrible and despicable thing that is inconceivably not being stop more immediately. The issue also pertinent, however, is that to actively attempt to 'fix' a society's culture and tradition is to cause great stress on those people as well as erode stability.

It would be good to discuss not only the pros of eliminating the practice, but also the cons.

Its a very touchy topic but I would like to see the practice ends since it really serves no purpose.

omg, you think there is a double standard? The brutality against the women is designed purely to reduce their sexual responsiveness and pleasure. Moreover, this procedure is performed later in life than circumcisions typically are so that the psychological impact alone is dramatic. Whatever your feelings about circumcision I can't see how you can see these two as parallel at all.

How about someone make a pod on male circumcision? I personally am infuriated with the double standard that exists on this subject. Good work nonetheless Mariana. Thanks for bringing yet another issue to light.

This is some backwads hog wash. These poor young girls do no even know what is happening and it makes it to were sex is not enjoyable.

To control such a carnal desire is of the mind only. But if there is no pleasure what chemical defect might we end up exploring? Since the mental chemicals needed to put on a nice face will be lost; what will happen? It a very large stress reliver and is also good for mental health. We all need it so why deny someone the joy of ever feeling it. This is just like stealing similly thieveing it that is sick.

I hope that this finds resolve for this disheartens me.

i would give the teenager in the reformation class like any amount of money she wanted for that amazing crochet halter top!!!

This is amazing work. The key to it was the need to "control" female sexuality. Why would we need to control it? Is it because we are afraid of it? I think female circumcision is a big deception; "today is the day for picking the ripe mangos" they say and that makes her a "real woman." But if the mangos needed to be picked she wouldn't have been made with them in the first place. From reading Alice Walker's book, I think this practice was put in place by men who felt threatened by female sexuality, afraid that if allowed to run rampant they would become as "empowered" as men. So it is a control thing designed by men enforced by women to control women.

This is a very important journalistic piece. Well done! Good luck in getting the message out there. Aside from Amnesty International are there other credible effective organizations that we can donate to that can help educate these people to stop this barbarous tradition?

Another great piece by Mariana! I love this piece how come I never seen it in Current? However, why it is mention that the clitoris is removed and then, during the interview, it is call circumcision? (female circumcision for some it is just a Vaginal Lip Reduction) So I am little confused by this piece because I am not know for sure that waht they are doing is circumcision or castration?