I came across two surprising headlines this April relating to female genital mutilation. One was about Fahma Mohamed, a 19-year old who won an honorary degree for her campaign against FGM in Britain ( the Guardian). I was also appalled to learn about Dr. Juamana Nargwala, a doctor located in Michigan who has been accused of performing a female genital mutilation on young girls between the ages of six and eight years old (Buzzfeed). This compelled me to come up with a list of important facts to disprove myths about female genital mutilation.
1. According to the Guardian “Medical groups, trade unions and human rights organisations estimate that there are 66,000 UK victims of FGM in the UK and more than 24,000 girls under 15 are at risk.” One of the reasons I was so shocked reading about Mohamed’s story was that I had not realized FGM was a reality for women who lived in the West, and that the danger is still present.
2. There are women being mutilated RIGHT IN BRITAIN. Experts have stated that women were being taken abroad and some were being given the procedure within Britain. (the Guardian)
3. According to Buzzfeed, “a report conducted by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2012 found that around 513,000 women and girls in the US were at risk of undergoing FGM, usually as minors.”
4. Women can be just as complicit in upholding patriarchy. One of the most depressing things upon learning about the practice in Detroit is that it is operated by a woman. ( Buzzfeed)
5. There is also a common myth that it only affects Muslim women. This is not true. It affects other women of faith as well, including Christians. (Buzzfeed)
6. Victims of FGM are often under the age of 15 and it can cause infections, complications in childbirth, cysts, severe bleeding, loss of sexual pleasure and increased risk of newborn death.( Buzzfeed)
7. It is performed for a variety of different reasons including to decrease lust and sexual pleasure for women, and preparation for marriage. (Buzzfeed)