While browsing through the F – Word, I happened upon this video http://www.irinnews.org/audiofiles/071220067.wmv about Female Gential Mutilation or FGM. It is distressing and fairly gruesome to watch but it certainly highlights the plight of some 8-10 million*** girls that suffer this ritualistic mutilation.
It occurs to me [particularly when some smart ass points it out] that although us white middle class women, that fight the good fight for feminism, may well have ‘come a long way baby’ practices such as FGM remind me that we have not even scratched the surface. So long as there are women and girls in the world who are forbidden/incapable of speaking out for themselves, we need to spread the word and put pressure on those governments & religious leaders to stop this most hideous and brutal of practices. Amnesty International already cover this and do some work toward eradicating FGM but there are other orginisations that you can read about or join here
While reading the facts on this site I came across this statement, a justification for the mutilation:
In various cultures there are many "justifications" for these practices. A girl who is not circumcised is considered "unclean" by local villagers and therefore unmarriageable. A girl who does not have her clitoris removed is considered a great danger and ultimately fatal to a man if her clitoris touches his penis.
Here in the western world, many have jested about the ever ‘elusive’ clitoris but to my knowledge no man has EVER died due to contact with the little love button. It infuriates me to think that those people hiding behind their religion and culture in order to condone and continue this brutality, are for the most part men.
Quelle Suprise?
*** taken from http://www.fgmnetwork.org/intro/fgmintro.php
It occurs to me [particularly when some smart ass points it out] that although us white middle class women, that fight the good fight for feminism, may well have ‘come a long way baby’ practices such as FGM remind me that we have not even scratched the surface. So long as there are women and girls in the world who are forbidden/incapable of speaking out for themselves, we need to spread the word and put pressure on those governments & religious leaders to stop this most hideous and brutal of practices. Amnesty International already cover this and do some work toward eradicating FGM but there are other orginisations that you can read about or join here
While reading the facts on this site I came across this statement, a justification for the mutilation:
In various cultures there are many "justifications" for these practices. A girl who is not circumcised is considered "unclean" by local villagers and therefore unmarriageable. A girl who does not have her clitoris removed is considered a great danger and ultimately fatal to a man if her clitoris touches his penis.
Here in the western world, many have jested about the ever ‘elusive’ clitoris but to my knowledge no man has EVER died due to contact with the little love button. It infuriates me to think that those people hiding behind their religion and culture in order to condone and continue this brutality, are for the most part men.
Quelle Suprise?
*** taken from http://www.fgmnetwork.org/intro/fgmintro.php
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