TakingITGlobal - Panorama - Silence Is Silent...

Published on: Apr 5, 2004

Topic:

Type: Opinions

https://www.tigweb.org/express/panorama/article.html?ContentID=3110

Bill Clinton’s law of politics states that "we all have to change, but no-one wants it when it affects them. We fear change because it might lead to loss of power, of control, even of identity itself." Writing about risque topics such as women’s rights, people either face a tirade of criticism or a degree of agreement, but those starting the fire are generally unaware of the true extent of situation. It is sometimes necessary to present factual examples, macabre or otherwise to prevent the labeling of items as "feminist critique," but also to catalyze the surge of change.

6000 girls per day, worldwide – One every 15 seconds - mutilated, forced into an operation unaware of how their rights as girls are being abused. Silence is the only response that they can offer as they become victims of female genital mutilation (FGM). Discussion about this invasive procedure that involves removal of the tip of the clitoris, the whole clitoris or even, the complete sewing up of the vulva, continues to be taboo.

The operation was only brought under the international spotlight when CNN broadcast footage of the circumcision of a 10-year-old Egyptian girl by an unskilled practitioner in 1994. The news network faced a US 5000 lawsuit for supposedly damaging the reputation of Egypt, though this was the sole way to inform the world about the gruesome means used to suppress girls at such a vulnerable age.

Razor blades, kitchen knives, scissors and even pieces of glass are used, sometimes on more than one girl, though such destruction is rarely brought to the knowledge of the general public; if the problem doesn’t concern us – Who cares? The East and the West alike, cannot afford to overlook this flagrant abuse of girls, sometimes even as young as 5 years old.

Supporters of the operation claim that it is done for cultural or religious reasons. FGM is a social practice and not a religious one that remains common in Africa and South-East Asia. It is actually a procedure that predates Islam, the faith commonly blamed. Mainstream religious scriptures such as The Qur’an, The Old Testament and The New Testament are silent on the subject. In many cultures, girls who have not been circumcised are considered “unclean” and treated as harlots by members of their community. Allegedly, for many in Ethiopia, Eritrea and Sudan as well as India and Pakistan, FGM reduces the sexual arousal of women so they avoid fornication and do not become involved in extra-marital affairs.

Some nations where mutilation was previously performed openly such as Egypt and Senegal have banned the practice completely. Legislation may not be the answer to what the Canadian Federal Court has declared is “cruel and barbaric,” as it may be forced underground; more girls will remain the victims of illegal abuse “to preserve their chastity” as the world watches in silence. International women’s groups have begun what is called “circumcision by words.” This is a program of public education teaching men and women about the problems associated with female genital mutilation. They learn about dealing with peer pressure, hygiene, reproduction and self-esteem. Even though female circumcision has been falling in some countries, it continues in others.

A few weeks ago, whilst writing this article, I asked a friend from the Indian Subcontinent what she thought of genital mutilation, to get an alternative opinion. She said something I thought was part of the problem: “Oh that only happens in villages, we live in the city.”

I was shocked. When city-dwellers are not troubled by abuse in villages 60 miles away, when people around the world who have the vital voices remain blind or uninformed- honor killings, genital mutilation, and other means of exploitation that see girls as the subservient “other” will continue to happen. Global governments should not shut their eyes to women’s issues but should become part of foreign policy. Malnourished girls not able to attend school; being denied basic health care and their endless abuse, genital mutilation included, cannot be overlooked. We, the so-called “civilized” members of the global community must not appear deaf as the voices of more than half of the world”s population cry out.

On a visit to India in March 1995, Hilary Clinton struck a chord with audience members speaking at The Rajiv Gandhi Foundation on the plight of women. She quoted, in full a poem that Anasuya Sengupta, a young Indian girl had written, tragically representing a truth that too many do not hear. A reading of the poem leaves nothing more to be said about the tragedy of women in the developing world, but more importantly, the tragedy of our ignorance:

Too many women
In too many countries
Speak the same language
Of Silence...
We seek only to give words
To those who cannot speak
I seek only to forget
The sorrows of my grandmother’s
Silence [1]

Infant girls still lying abandoned on the streets?

[1] Clinton, Hillary Rodham. Living History. Simon & Schuster 2003

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by Omar S. Roomi
Published on: Apr 5, 2004
Topic:
Type: Opinions
https://www.tigweb.org/express/panorama/article.html?ContentID=3110


Bill Clinton’s law of politics states that "we all have to change, but no-one wants it when it affects them. We fear change because it might lead to loss of power, of control, even of identity itself." Writing about risque topics such as women’s rights, people either face a tirade of criticism or a degree of agreement, but those starting the fire are generally unaware of the true extent of situation. It is sometimes necessary to present factual examples, macabre or otherwise to prevent the labeling of items as "feminist critique," but also to catalyze the surge of change. 6000 girls per day, worldwide – One every 15 seconds - mutilated, forced into an operation unaware of how their rights as girls are being abused. Silence is the only response that they can offer as they become victims of female genital mutilation (FGM). Discussion about this invasive procedure that involves removal of the tip of the clitoris, the whole clitoris or even, the complete sewing up of the vulva, continues to be taboo. The operation was only brought under the international spotlight when CNN broadcast footage of the circumcision of a 10-year-old Egyptian girl by an unskilled practitioner in 1994. The news network faced a US 5000 lawsuit for supposedly damaging the reputation of Egypt, though this was the sole way to inform the world about the gruesome means used to suppress girls at such a vulnerable age. Razor blades, kitchen knives, scissors and even pieces of glass are used, sometimes on more than one girl, though such destruction is rarely brought to the knowledge of the general public; if the problem doesn’t concern us – Who cares? The East and the West alike, cannot afford to overlook this flagrant abuse of girls, sometimes even as young as 5 years old. Supporters of the operation claim that it is done for cultural or religious reasons. FGM is a social practice and not a religious one that remains common in Africa and South-East Asia. It is actually a procedure that predates Islam, the faith commonly blamed. Mainstream religious scriptures such as The Qur’an, The Old Testament and The New Testament are silent on the subject. In many cultures, girls who have not been circumcised are considered “unclean” and treated as harlots by members of their community. Allegedly, for many in Ethiopia, Eritrea and Sudan as well as India and Pakistan, FGM reduces the sexual arousal of women so they avoid fornication and do not become involved in extra-marital affairs. Some nations where mutilation was previously performed openly such as Egypt and Senegal have banned the practice completely. Legislation may not be the answer to what the Canadian Federal Court has declared is “cruel and barbaric,” as it may be forced underground; more girls will remain the victims of illegal abuse “to preserve their chastity” as the world watches in silence. International women’s groups have begun what is called “circumcision by words.” This is a program of public education teaching men and women about the problems associated with female genital mutilation. They learn about dealing with peer pressure, hygiene, reproduction and self-esteem. Even though female circumcision has been falling in some countries, it continues in others. A few weeks ago, whilst writing this article, I asked a friend from the Indian Subcontinent what she thought of genital mutilation, to get an alternative opinion. She said something I thought was part of the problem: “Oh that only happens in villages, we live in the city.” I was shocked. When city-dwellers are not troubled by abuse in villages 60 miles away, when people around the world who have the vital voices remain blind or uninformed- honor killings, genital mutilation, and other means of exploitation that see girls as the subservient “other” will continue to happen. Global governments should not shut their eyes to women’s issues but should become part of foreign policy. Malnourished girls not able to attend school; being denied basic health care and their endless abuse, genital mutilation included, cannot be overlooked. We, the so-called “civilized” members of the global community must not appear deaf as the voices of more than half of the world”s population cry out. On a visit to India in March 1995, Hilary Clinton struck a chord with audience members speaking at The Rajiv Gandhi Foundation on the plight of women. She quoted, in full a poem that Anasuya Sengupta, a young Indian girl had written, tragically representing a truth that too many do not hear. A reading of the poem leaves nothing more to be said about the tragedy of women in the developing world, but more importantly, the tragedy of our ignorance: Too many women In too many countries Speak the same language Of Silence... We seek only to give words To those who cannot speak I seek only to forget The sorrows of my grandmother’s Silence [1] Infant girls still lying abandoned on the streets? [1] Clinton, Hillary Rodham. Living History. Simon & Schuster 2003 « return.