STOP Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

I had my circumcision done when I was 6 years old and this is how it happened.

In a sunny afternoon in Djibouti (East Africa), my house was beautifully decorated and full of gifts and kids playing around. The occasion was “my 6 months old sister’s circumcision celebration”.  A pain cry reads as a sharp scream followed by a brief period where my sister stops breathing. She was circumcised. I burst in tears, while other women were singing out loud. Suddenly, my mother turned to me, so did the three gipsy women that circumcised my sister. My mother looked dazed as she remembered that I was never circumcised. It was my time then and there. As my mother came closer to me, followed by the three witches, I was becoming aware of what I was going to endure and the more aware I became, the more unconscious I felt. I was thrown on the bed; legs open and tighten to each corner of the bed. Two women held each of my arms firmly; my mother had her eyes closed and her hands on my racing heart. The third gipsy cut part of my clitoris (Type I) and put a transparent recipient in front of me. I was bleeding like a fountain. She then wrapped me like a mommy with some white sheets. All of this happened without local anaesthetic!

Many of you are unaware of this horrible tradition. I feel responsible to make as many people as possible alert of this injustice.

Female Circumcision, often referred as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), is still practiced in 28 countries, both by Muslims and Christians (It's cultural and regional, and none of the religions support it). FGM constitutes partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or injury to the external female genitals. It is estimated that 100-140 million girls and women in Africa and Yemen have undergone FGM and that 3 million young girls undergo FGM every year. According to estimations by the United Nations, 6 000 girls are victims of this crime daily.   Mainly due to migration, women with FGM are increasingly found in Europe. There are 4 types of FGM:

·         Type I) Clitordectomy involves the cutting off of the "hood" (and occasionally the organ itself) of the clitoris.  This procedure is one of the less severe procedures of FGM and constitutes approximately 5% of all cases.

·          Type II) The process of excision is characterized by the removal of the clitoris in addition to the partial/complete elimination of the labia minora.  This procedure constitutes approximately 80% of all FGM.

·          Type III) This infibulation, which is perhaps one of the most severe forms of FGM and leaves the most lasting physical and psychological trauma on the women.  Infibulation is the complete removal of the clitoris, the labia minora, and part of the labia majora.  After the near removal of the vagina, the vaginal opening is stitched and closed until the girl's husband engages in intercourse with her.

·          Type IV) This includes anything from injuring the vagina with piercing, stretching, and pricking to burning the clitoris and its surrounding tissues.

Depending on the degree of mutilation, FGM can have a number of short-term health implications, such as severe pain and shock; infection; urine retention; injury to adjacent tissues and/or immediate fatal haemorrhaging.  Long-term implications can entail extensive damage of the external reproductive system; uterus, vaginal and pelvic infections; cysts and neuromas; increased risk of Vesico Vaginal Fistula; complications in pregnancy and child birth; psychological damage; sexual dysfunction and difficulties in menstruation.

You can make a difference by helping me to raise funds for FORWARD. I am member of FORWARD myself. Many female members have been circumcised and therefore we are all driven and fully dedicated to support this cause. FORWARD has concrete programmes inAfrica where they work in partnership with local organisations to educate, support and empower girls and women suffering from (FGM). I am sure www.forwarduk.org.uk will provide you with great insight on the amazing job that my charity has done so far.

To begin my battle, I am participating at the Thames Turbo Triathlon Race 1 , which is taking place on the 5th May 2008. (www.thamesturbo.co.uk).

Thank you for your sponsorship, for the little girls who endure this procedure daily, it means a lot to them to see that you care and campaign for their basic rights.

Nagla