What the people say

The way Allah has created woman, humans have no right to modify this. Wise people know about the health risks and problems caused by circumcision. Would you cut off your daughter’s ears or nose just because you are told it is a tradition? Nobody has the right to manipulate a woman’s life. Let people know that female genital mutilation (FGM) is very wrong.

--- Erika Eberl---

The circumcision of girls should be stopped because it does not serve a legitimate goal. Some people claim that they circumcise girls for religious reasons but there are no claims in the Koran that support or dismiss circumcision. This makes me believe that this is a cultural practice.

Some cultural practices are not beneficial to society and its people; for example human sacrifice, incest, bonding of feet etc. When people start to find that certain practices, in this case circumcision of girls, are not beneficial then it is up to us to start re-examining why these traditions began in the first place and if it is worth keeping

---Anonymous---

I personally do not support the circumcision of girls. I myself was circumcised when I was younger and I will never forget it. I remember they laid me down, held my arms and legs and covered my face. They started drumming so that it can drown out the shouts and finally they cut it off. After the whole ordeal I had to sit on warm water for a while.

I will never forget that day. There were only three of us in number but I know sometimes they have dozens of children.The other children healed ok but I was sick after the circumcision. For over a month I had to wear a cloth under my pants. I also had to take my penicillin to school and clean the wound.

---Anonymous---

The importance given to virginity and an intact hymen in these societies is the reason why female circumcision still remains a very widespread practice despite a growing tendency, to do away with it as something outdated and harmful. Behind circumcision lies the belief that by removing parts of girls' external genital organs, sexual desire is minimised.

This permits a female who has reached the dangerous age of puberty and adolescence to protect her virginity, and therefore her honour, with greater ease. Chastity was imposed on male attendants in the female harem by castration which turned them into inoffensive eunuchs. Similarly female circumcision is meant to preserve the chastity of young girls by reducing their desire for sexual intercourse.

--- Nawal El-Saadawi---

The circumcision of girls should continue but it should be done with proper medical supervision. They should do circumcisions in hospitals to be safe. Circumcision has been apart of our culture for many years now, who are we to come and start saying that it is bad. How can it be when our ancestors have been doing it. People now try to say that it is unhealthy for girls to be circumcised but I think it is people today who are unhealthy. People back in the days were circumcised and delivered fine with no problems.

---Anonymous---

FGM is a social custom, not a religious practice. However, in those Muslim countries where it is practised, FGM is often justified by a controversial saying attributed to the Prophet Mohammed that seems to favour the circumcision involving minor cutting of the clitoris. The authenticity of these sayings are unconfirmed, and some scholars have refuted them. Even if true, they only permit the practice; they do not mandate it.

FGM has probably been performed for at least 1,400 years (some references estimate 2,000 years), and started during what Muslims call "al-gahiliyyah" (the era of ignorance). The Qu'r'an, Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and Christian Scriptures (New Testament) is silent on the subject. The Sunnah (the words and actions of the Prophet Mohammed) contains a reference to female circumcision.

--- B.A. Robinson---

In most FGM societies one important belief is that this procedure will reduce a women's desire for sex and in doing so will reduce the chance of sex outside the marriage. This is vital to this society as her honour for the familydepended on her not to be opened up prior to marriage.

---Anonymous---

Facts about circumcision of girls:

1.Worldwide, 135 million girls experience genital cutting.

2.In Africa alone, 92 million girls 10 years old and above have been subjected to FGM or genital cutting.

3.FGC is practised to control or reduce female sexuality and to initiate girls into womanhood.

4.Female Circumcision is often a cultural tradition, not a religious practice. At times the practice is harmful and at times it is a woman's choice done in a positive way. This depends on the country and community in question, it's different everywhere.

5.Most girls undergo FGC when they are between 7 and 10 years-old. but some cultures practice it on infants or when a woman is in her first pregnancy.

6.FGC is practised in most African countries.

7.FGC is also found in the Middle East, mostly Oman, United Arab Emirates, Yemen as well as India Indonesia, Afghanistan, Iran and Malaysia.

8.FGC has become widespread in Western cities in Australia, Canada, England, France and the United States because of its cultural importance to immigrants who come from where FGC is common. However, FCC is prohibited in the US.

9.FGC is a serious problem in most immigrant communities in American cities but most don’t see it as an ‘American’ problem so little is done about it.

10.When done incorrectly, some develop uncontrollable bleeding after the procedure and can die within hours because of excessive blood loss.

11.FGC is usually females furthering the cycle - most circumcisers are women.

---World Health Organization---

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