Female genital mutilation – why?

Tonight I attended the play RITES performed by the UCL group Viva la Vulva which was organised by the Institute for Women’s Health, UCL as part of our International Women’s Day programme.  RITES is a play about female genital mutilation – FGM.  FGM comprises all procedures that involve partial or complete removal of the external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non medical reasons (WHO).  It is also sometimes referred to as female genital cutting or female circumcision.

RITES is a powerful play based on interviews with girls, women and families affected by FGM; from the American woman who underwent the procedure voluntary to the undergraduate in Scotland who did not realise that she had been mutilated until she studied FGM during her degree.  The play puts forward all view points – including those in favour of FGM.  The play was followed by a panel discussion lead by the Provost of UCL, Michael Arthur. Also on the panel were Hilary Burrage, sociologist, journalist and author, Dr Deborah Hodes, consultant pediatrician, Janet Kumah, actor in the original cast of RITES, National Theatre of Scotland, Naana Otoo-Oyortey, MBE, FORWARD executive director and Hibo Wardere, FGM survivor and activist (photo).

FGM affects over 200 million girls and women in 30 countries.  FGM is usually performed by women on girls of any age.  Men are rarely involved in the ‘ceremony’.  It is illegal in the UK.

Global women have previously explained the global issue of FGM and the changes of UK laws on FGM.

Viva la Vulva are a group of passionate, political and talented UCL medical students that campaign to raise awareness of FGM, gender based violence and the importance of access to good quality contraceptive and abortion services. They have produced the leaflet below explaining the different types of FGM.

Read More:

Shedding light on FGM
Changes in UK law to protect girls from FGM

Image credit:  pub209healthcultureandsociety.wikispaces.com