Female Circumcision

Monday, December 8, 2014

WARNING!!!!!!!!!!

Warning, some of the post below contain graphic images.
Be prepared and BE WARNED!!!!!!

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

THINK. THINK, THINK.......IS IT RIGHT, WRONG, OR BOTH?

THINK. THINK, THINK.......IS IT RIGHT, WRONG, OR BOTH? Post #11

In my first post, I sounded amazed, angry, surprised and I felt like female circumcision is a brutal procedure. However, after that post I have learned and grew up to realize that the procedure is painful and brutal but it is hard for me to say it is completely right or wrong. In some post, I may imply that it is wrong and in some I might imply that it can go both ways. Female circumcision has been happening for a while now and it is still done. The questions I want my readers to ask themselves is: Is it right, wrong, or needed? Cause I actually want to know what others think after reading the entire posts.

I am so glad I chose this topic because I learned vital information and I improved my knowledge. This research open my mind to new ideas and acts. Prior to the research I was not really open minded about new things and differences. However, this topic made me realize that people are different and make different choices but I should learn to respect their decision. Does this mean I am implying that female circumcision is right or wrong? At this point, I want to say it is right to some extent and wrong to some extent however if I answer the question there will be bias because people who do it claim they have their reasons for it. There will also be bias because my perspective as an African American female is different so it will influence my decision. My new insight has helped me to be more willing to try new things, learn new things, listen and respect people for who they are. It has also helped me realize that I should not take my opportunity for granted, use it wisely and smartly to help other girls because some young girls are out there that want to be where I am. This can help others realize that there are several cultural ideas, people are different, and women are treated differently around the world not only in America. People will feel sorry for the girls based of the visual I included in my blog, some will be totally against it and some may have mixed feelings about the idea. But everyone's' answer depends on their ideas, perspective, value, believe and cultural background. Female Circumcision is an interesting topic that will force everyone to think, think, and think.

Monday, December 1, 2014

Saturday, November 29, 2014

SUGGESTIONS TO STOP FEMALE CIRCUMCISION. Post #9

SUGGESTIONS TO STOP FEMALE CIRCUMCISION

The first solution to solve female circumcision is education. I think educating the leaders of the community of where this act takes place is very important. We should educate them about how the health complications are deadly and how harmful the act is. This solution will work to some extent because it will enable them to feel a little bit of empathy for the girls. It may not work because men are not supposed to show any emotions, they are supposed to be though so they will not be ready to reason with the idea that the pain the girls suffer is terrible. This solution is better than the others because it is a peaceful approach and it will enlightening the leaders.

The second solution is to figure out an alternative celebration and eliminate the cut. The cut cause trauma to be body, so it should not be done. Instead, they can have the girls do all the celebrations before the cut, but the cut will not be done or they should do the cut on a cow or sheep. This should be done to make sure the girls are healthy. This solution may work if the leaders agree on going through the entire teaching about female circumcision. It may also work if an unnecessary painful cut is done on the male leaders, so they will know how painful it is. Though, no pain can be compared to this. This may not work because the cultural believe is that the cut is done to keep the woman from having sex without marriage or to stop them from having sexual pleasure. Also the cultural leaders will not want to lose their power by eliminating the cut because the cut symbolizes their power over women. This solution will work with the teaching solution because teaching will help the leaders realize that an alternative method needs to be created.

My final solution, is for women to speak out and share their experiences. Fight for their right just like Kezia Bianca- YWCA of Kenya. She is now advocating for other girls and working with a group of people that wants female circumcision to end. This can help resolve the problem because the society will be aware of the torture the women experience, so they will consider stopping the act. If women do not speak up for themselves, there will be no change. This will work compared to the alternative solution because our voices will be heard and we will be fighting for our power. The alternative solution will still give them power over women.

FGM;Female Circumcision. Post#8

FGM;Female Circumcision

Female genital mutilation same as Female Circumcision is a procedure performed to women to symbolize adulthood or it is done as a cultural requirements. The procedure does not have any health benefits however it causes several health issue. So the question is should it be done or should it be stopped. People like me will definitely say the act should be eliminated because of the pain and health complications. But then again, I will want to consider the cultural reasons behind it. It is a hard question to be answered without being bias. The issue is a problem because United Nation and other global organization got involved and are working towards eliminating the act because of the health issues and inhumane attitude.

Prior to my research I did not know anything about female circumcision. I did not even know it was done in Nigeria where I spent the first 10 years of my life. I did not even know a close female relative of mine was circumcised. I have learnt a lot. I learnt that there are types and categories of circumcision. They are sunna, clitoridectomy, and the excision and infibulation. I also learnt that female circumcision is mostly done because of cultural reasons and a disadvantage is the health issues it causes. One thing that annoys me the most is that people try to compare male circumcision to female circumcision which is unfair. Male circumcision has health benefits but female circumcision does not. I also came across a source that said women should not have the right of sexual pleasure so their clitoris should be cut off. IS EVERYTHING ALL ABOUT MEN? I think the society where circumcision is done fail to realize that without women there will not be men because women give birth to men. Women are not given any power or right during and after the process. I believe the circumcision is done to silence women. The question I keep asking myself is: is the cut necessary?

Western vs. Developing Countries. Post #7

Western vs. Developing Countries

Ethnocentrism is when people think their cultural ideas are right over other culture. Female circumcision is an intersectional issue because developed countries believe female circumcision should be stopped because of health problems and lack of women's right. Western culture refuse to put an end to it because they believe it is part of their culture. Organizations like WHO and UNICEF believe FGM should be stopped because of the health complications. However those who participate in it, believe it is the best way to express their cultural values. Some developed countries think if they refuse to stop it, they should at least find an alternative for the procedure. Instead of the cutting, they should create a big celebration to mark the welcome to womanhood but they still refuse. People who practice FGM believe it is the best action that makes their culture better than those who do not do it.

Institutions. Post #6

Institutions

Institutions affected by female circumcision are the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations, and UNICEF. They are affected by FGM because they are organization that look out for the health of everyone around the world. Therefore, if they feel like something is deteriorating the health of a group of people, they work to improve their health. FGM negativly impacts the health of the recipients.

These organization believe FGM is wrong, and should be stopped because of the health issues people acquire after the procedure. In addition, the procedure does not provided any health benefits. They believe the act abuses women’s rights in the society. These organizations have been working together to eliminate female genital mutation. In 2010, WHO published a list that includes the global strategy to stop people from performing FGM. Another institution that may be affected are hospitals because they have to take care of the girls in pain after circumcision. Although, most people do not use the hospitals but some people in developed countries utilize the hospital after the procedure if the complication is beyond self care. We should be concerned because people are dying from the procedure and have curable and non-curable health issues.

Source-For more information go to: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs241/en/

To read the strategy list, visit: http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2010/WHO_RHR_10.9_eng.pdf?ua=1