ManicDDaily

This Is Not Really About Pleasure (FGM)

Cuttings’ stitched wounds
don’t leave much room
for babies, pee, their own
seepage, periods–
though, yes, penises
apparently–
Cuts made by other women, cut
scarred
women.
140 million.

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I am still in the throes of  “Half the Sky” a documentary about the oppression of women made by Nicholas Kristoff and Sheryl WuDonn.  One focus – female genital mutilation (FGM) – the cutting and sewing up of the vaginas of very young girls. Many think the practice, also called female circumcision, only (ONLY!) cuts away the clitoris of girls so that they will not be tempted by sexual pleasure, but in many cultures, the cuts are far more expansive with horrible consequences for women’s health, particularly their reproductive health, for their lifetimes.  The World Health Organization estimates that there are currently living 140 million women who have suffered some form of this cutting.  

Some talk of respect for the traditions of different cultures; I can’t think of that applying here. 

I am linking this to With Real Toads, a prompt by the wonderful Mama Zen to write something about conflict in less than 30 words.  (In my case – not including title!)