I appreciate your efforts to be neutral on this topic from
the understanding of your Western bias. However I feel as though certain things
are right and wrong in this world and female genital mutilation is one.
We
reviewed this extensively in my Human Sexuality class just a few weeks ago. The
complications, risks, and pain that come with this practice are numerous and
unimaginable. It has no relation to male circumcision which brings only
momentary pain to the young boys. It is also important to look at why this
practice is being done. While circumcision of males is a traditional practice
and usually for health maintenance, female genital mutilation is done to remove
any pleasure a woman may receive from sexual intercourse. It is a procedure put
in place to police women's sexual expression and in turn their power.
If we
look at topics previously reviewed in this class we see that "Empowerment
of Women" is on the short list of the UN's focus. Female genital
mutilation is one of the most tragic and obvious tools various cultures have
used to take a away power from women. The article discusses respecting and
upholding the culture and autonomy of women by not pushing our foreign beliefs
on their culture. I would have to argue these women have no autonomy in the
first place, which is the core problem. The very act of FGM is the symbolic
removal of all independence and power a woman contains.
I respect your
understanding of culture and attempting not impose your beliefs on another
culture, however I urge you and everyone to look at this not simply as a
cultural issue. It is in fact a political and human issue, which are
fundamentally indivisible. Containing the act of female genital mutilation into
the small box of a cultural issue gives the public license to ignore and
separate themselves from these tragic acts. Placing FGM in the realm of health
and human rights issues draws the public to necessity of intervention and allows for
progress to be had.
Thank you for taking the time to post this on this issue, and I urge
others to share their opinions as this
is an important topic!
A very thorough, well-structured, and well-thought out argument. Thank you for posting!
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