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. 

Everyday Experience. Post #5

                                                  Everyday Experience

At least one girl gets circumcised around the world in a day. This practice still remains popular in some culture. The girl may not want to participate in it however the decision is not for her to make. Her father and the society determines if circumcision should be performed even though most of the time there is no debate behind it. After the circumcision these girls experience health problems(pain, hemorrhage), emotional and psychological problems. The inhumane act sometimes makes women lose hope in life. They feel miserable, out of control and sad.  Based on the experience of Kezia Bianca- YWCA of Kenya, I can conclude that girls who get circumcised lose a part of themselves. The community gains control of them while they lose their dignity and control.

          Culture is a huge criteria for evaluating this inhumane act. Some people believe FGM if the proper way for them to welcome girls into womanhood in their culture. While some believe it is a rule in their culture that needs to be obeyed. Girls who get circumcised normally do not have a choice to refuse because they want to follow their culture rules. They agree to follow culture even though the pain they experience makes them feel miserable after. Culture makes female circumcision right.

To read about Kezia Bianca's story visit: http://womenleadingchange.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/female-genital-mutilation-my-story/

RIGHT OR WRONG-Culture vs.Pain. Post #2

                              RIGHT OR WRONG-Culture vs.Pain

                   Article-"Blood, Fear and Ritual: Witness to Female Circumcision in Kenya" by Andrew Katz

Rites of passage are performed to signify that one is prepared for a stage in life. Example of some stages are independence, marriage, or parenthood. In America, a rite of passage could be getting driver’s license at the age of 16, graduating high school, or paying for rent. These stages may illustrate that the person is ready to be an adult. According to my source, young girls   get circumcised to demonstrate that they are qualified to get married. Female genital mutation remains a popular act in Africa, Middle East, and other 30 countries. The act impacts the woman’s health tremendously, however the practice is still done to show the lack of control women have over their bodies. The article explains how female circumcision is performed as a ritual needed in a woman’s life in order to be happy even though the person going through the experience is not happy. The article shares the experience of two young Kenya girls getting circumcised. The author described the horrific event.

               The author explains that the day prior to the actual cutting, the girls were hairless. All their hair has been shaved off. Their body was cleaned with cow’s milk and the girls must not show and emotions because they would be a disgrace to their family. The parents would be recognized because their girls were about to “become women”. On the day of the cutting, the act is performed in their house so that they could get full recovery without any disturbance. The girls screamed out with pain and agony once they got cut. Blood was everywhere. Animal blood and products were given to the girls after the procedure to replace the blood loss. To me and others who may not agree with the act may say the experience is unfair, horrific, sad and painful. However, those who practice it totally believe it is part of culture and tradition; it must be done to prepare their young girls for womanhood. They do not believe it cause any health problems.

                The more I read about culture, tradition, female circumcision, believes, rites, and rituals, it is hard for me to say I agree or disagree with the act. I am surprise it is still done in some parts of the world but these people believe it is needed for the women in their culture. Is that right, is it not right? It is a difficult answer because there would bias during the process of answering this question. Some people may still wonder why it is done, is it really necessary? However these questions require thought.

To read the original article go to: http://time.com/3425529/blood-fear-and-ritual-witness-to-female-circumcision-in-kenya/

Source:
Katz, Andrew. "Blood, Fear and Ritual: Witness to Female Circumcision in Kenya." Time. Time, 6 Feb. 2014. Web. 01 Dec. 2014. <http://time.com/3425529/blood-fear-and-ritual-witness-to-female-circumcision-in-kenya/>.