I must say I have nothing against FGM as long as those who participate in it are not forced to by parents, relatives or society. However, it is often the case that girls are forced to go through the rites and that I believe is a breach of their rights. In that respect, it would be necessary for government to criminalize forced FGM, if they haven't done so already. I believe it is the responsibility of any responsible government to make the rights of its citizens its priority. They don't have to really spend extra cash in policing the practice as someone suggested that there are other things that needs to be settled. The onus would be on the citizens, both young and old, to report cases of forced FGM and then it would be the business of the judiciary to make sure that justice is administered.
Society should also be mature when they deal with certain things. For instance, there is lots of stigmatization on girls who have not gone through the practice. We should realize that not everybody share our views and therefore demand respect from other people while we ensure that we also respect other people's views. That's the only way we are gonna be able to have peace and stability. Lets not have a divide between those who are in favor of FGM and those who are not. Let those who are in favor continue with the practice and those who are not be left in peace. Our children have the right to a choice with what happens to their bodies. We should respect that.
My girlfriend constantly gets pressured by her mom to undergo FGM. She does not want to and the only thing her mom says to her to convince her is that she would not be seen as a 'real woman.' The question there is are we Gods? God made women. Who are we to claim that a woman is complete or incomplete just because they have or haven't undergone a rite.
I come from a family where my mothers, aunts and older sisters are circumcised. However, all of my sisters including my mother have come to realize that circumcision was not the right thing for them. My younger sister is not and will not be circumcised. A decision supported by my father, older sisters, mothers and brothers. I have a total of 7 sisters. I believe that if the older members of my family had clung to the past, this would not have been the case; but they strongly support our last sister's decision not to be circumcised and I am happy they did. We should learn to change the things that has no significance.
I believe that if FGM had any much significance, my mother-in-law to-be would have mentioned it. However, my girlfriend's uncles and aunts support her decision not to be circumcised. Whether we like it or not, this tradition would phase itself out. When God gives me children, I would try my best to protect them from FGM if that is their wish.
Tags: FGM Female Genital Mutilation Female Circumcision
