| In the Western world, feminists have received the most publicity in their radical stances on FGM, calling it a barbaric practice that must be eradicated. They view FGM as just another way that a patriarchal society institutionalizes a practice that subordinates and controls women. They liken FGM to other painful institutions of violence, such as foot-binding, bride burning, and honor killings. (Women, Men, and Society,294) They have lobbied against African governments, posing that the governments make FGM illegal. And many African governments have taken action, passing laws against the practice, but they are finding it difficult to keep adequate control of this rite of passage, as it is performed most often out in the more rural areas. Still other groups in Europe and the States are forming NGOs that are attempting to convince the governement officials and influencial tribal groups that actual cutting procedures are not neccesary. Rather, they are suggesting a sort of symbolic "cutting" that maybe just removes some pubic hair or holds a knife to the genitals without harming the girl in any way. While such organizations are making progress in the global fight to eradicate FGM, there have also been some negative effects as well. For example, the Maasai of East Africa are now moving the rite of initiation of young girls down to ages as young as four, as a demonstration of their opposition to the protests.. (www.irinnews.com) The Maasai question how they will teach their young girls to be women if they are forced to do away with this rite of passage. Because women are the ones that are believed to be prone to sexual promiscuity, as an uncut woman will want to have sexual relations with any man she sees. It is believed by the Maasai that women are the ones that bring diseases such as HIV/AIDS into their communities. As one Maasai explained it; "Cutting girls is something our people have done for hundreds of years. No one can convince us that it is wrong. When you cut a girl, you know she will remain pure until she gets married, and that after marriage, she will be faithful. But when you leave a girl uncut, she sleeps with any man and brings the disease into the community. You cannot claim to be a Maasai man or woman if you are not circumcised." (www.irinnews.org) In most cultures where FGM is practiced, women have extremely limited options when they are considering their future. Marriage and motherhood are deemed the only option for the majority of young women. Therefore, if a girl is not cut, her marriage prospects drop to almost zero and she is at high risk of being marginalized and ostracised from society by the men from such communities There is such a great pressure to conform that most girls don't even believe they have other avenues. Many organizations are working to encourage girls in FGM-practicing communities to explore other options, such as continued education and occupations. |
| ~there has to be another way ~ |