female genital mutilation (FGM)

In Career Gems August 7, 2020 By Esther Ijewere

Real Reason Sudan Criminalized Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Sudan has Criminalized carrying out Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), making it punishable by three years in jail.

According to UN, about 87% of Sudanese women aged between 14 and 49 have undergone some form of FGM. In Sudan it is not uncommon for women to get the inner and outer labia, and usually the clitoris, removed and FGM can result in urinary tract infections, uterine infections, kidney infections, cysts, reproductive issues and pain during sex.

Before now, there has been a global trend towards banning the practice. However, according to a Unicef report carried out in 29 countries in Africa and the Middle East, the practice is still being widely carried out, despite the fact that at least 24 of these countries have legislation or some form of decrees against FGM. FGM was already illegal in some Sudanese states but these bans were widely ignored.

BBC Sudan analyst Mohaned Hashim notes that there have been previous attempts to ban FGM across the whole country but parliament under long-time leader Omar al-Bashir rejected the recommendations. Women were at the forefront of the movement that toppled Mr Bashir in April 2019. Campaigners accused the former government of discriminating against women in various ways – including preventing women from wearing trousers.

In November, Sudan repealed a restrictive public order law that controlled how women acted and dressed in public. The FGM amendment to the criminal law was approved on 22 April, Reuters news agency reports and under the amendment, anyone who performs FGM either inside a medical establishment or elsewhere faces three years’ imprisonment and a fine.

Source: BBC

In Interviews&profile July 27, 2020 By Esther Ijewere

“I Felt Violated When I discovered I Was Circumcised As A Little Girl” – Lolo Ihesie

Nigerian Activist Lolo Ihesie has revealed she recently discovered she was circumcised as a child and that makes her feel violated and hurt.

Her mother disclosed to her about being circumcised after she saw her teaching her younger sister about Female Genital Mutilation(FGM) and its implications.

According to her mother, every woman in their family was subjected to female genital.

Lolo Ihesie added that despite being circumcised and not having a clitoris head , she has been able to play around it to find her G spot.

She advised ladies to ask their mother about being circumcised or visit a gynaecologist to find out.

Posting a photo of herself ,she wrote on Instagram;

“At 3 months old, my family cut out my clitoral head (FGM1) because they didn’t want me to grow up to be promiscuous.

This was never disclosed to me till I was an adult whilst I was educating my younger sisters about FGM and its implications.

Naturally, I am curious about my body and I teach about sex and pleasure – I noticed that I didn’t have a clitoral head but never wanted to believe that it was due to FGM
I assumed I just didn’t have a thick clitoral tissue even though direct stimulus to the clit hurts and I need to work around the clitoris to find my pleasure spot since the external tissue where most of the pleasure spot is located was cut.

I feel violated and incredibly hurt by this discovery but at the end – It has given me insight as to why I am where I am and why my message about violation against women is important to me.

I am an igbo girl and this is common in igbo land.

My mother said it was done to every girl she knows including her- mothers did it to their daughters.. some still do.

I encourage you to speak to your mothers and ask if they cut you or go to a gynecologist to inquire.

I share this because I need other young girls to see that FGM does not define us or our sexuality.
We deserve pleasure!
You can work with your body to learn what gives you that pleasure no matter what! ”

In Career Gems November 4, 2019 By Editor

EKITI COMMUNITY OFFICIALLY RENOUNCES PRACTICE OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM)

The people of Ilawe-Ekiti, Ekiti South West Local Government Area of Ekiti State, on Friday officially renounced the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

Oba Adebanji Alabi, the Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti, who is also the Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, described the act as unlawful and promised that the community would no longer be involved in the act.

Alabi spoke in Ilawe-Ekiti, during an event, organised by the state chapter of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), in conjunction with United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) on FGM elimination.

“I want to declare today, on behalf of my people, that we will no longer be involved in the act of Female Genital Mutilation, because it is highly despicable and unlawful. Oba Alabi said.

“Henceforth, it is now a taboo for anyone to do it to our kids. I am surprised that at this age people are still into this act that has sent many of our children to early grave; and even those that survived it, are left impotent.’’

The state Director of NOA, Mr Dayo Famosaya, regretted that the FGM was on the increase in the state, especially in Ilawe community, describing it as an outdated act.

He assured that the agency would continue to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders in a bid to put an end to the menace in the state.

The UNICEF South West Consultant on FGM elimination, Mrs Aderonke Olutayo, disclosed that Ekiti State ranked third in FGM prevalence rate in the country.

Olutayo reiterated that the act was a violation of the fundamental rights of girls and women, and was compromising their health and psycho-social well-being.

She advised the government to demonstrate more political will in ending the act, by making budgetary provisions that would enhance advocacy.

Credit: LIB

In Interviews&profile October 31, 2019 By Esther Ijewere

KENYAN GIRLS WHO DEVELOPED APP TO FIGHT FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION NOMINATED FOR SAKHAROV PRIZE

The app – i-Cut – makes it easier for young women to seek help, find a rescue centre or report the procedure to the authorities.

The Restorers

The European Parliament has nominated 5 Kenyan students from Kisumu Girls High School who developed a mobile app to help victims and potential victims of female genital mutilation (FGM) Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. The girls, who go by the name “The Restorers” are Stacy Owino, Cynthia Otieno, Purity Achieng, Mascrine Atieno and Ivy Akinyi. The app – i-Cut – makes it easier for young women to seek help, find a rescue centre or report the procedure to the authorities.

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, named in honour of the Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrei Sakharov, was set up in 1988 to honour individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms. It is awarded each year by the European Parliament of the European Union.

FGM was made illegal in Kenya in the late 1990s and early 2000s in a series of laws and decrees. In 2011, another law, the prohibition of female genital mutilation act 2011, came into force in October. Generally, there has been a decrease in FGM cases nationwide. According to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, the 2014 prevalence of FGM in Kenya stood at 21%. This is in comparison to 27% in 2008/9 and 32% in 2003. However, amongst some communities, the prevalence is still quite high such as the Somali at 94%, Samburu 86%, Kisii 84%, and Maasai at 78%. Emerging trends include a change in the type of FGM, lowering the age of circumcision and the use of doctors.

The Restorers previously participated in the 2017 Technovation Challenge in Silicon Valley in August – they were the only African group to take part in the challenge.

The other finalists for the prize are Brazilian human rights defender Marielle Franco, Chief Raoni and Claudelice Silva dos Santos; and Uyghur economist Ilham Tohti.