Female circumcision is barbarism

The New York Times has a story and slide show on female circumcision genital mutilation in Indonesia that make me want to cross my legs and scream, in pain and anger.

The procedure takes several minutes. There is little blood involved. Afterward, the girl’s genital area is swabbed with the antiseptic Betadine. She is then helped back into her underwear and returned to a waiting area, where she’s given a small, celebratory gift — some fruit or a donated piece of clothing — and offered a cup of milk for refreshment. She has now joined a quiet majority in Indonesia, where, according to a 2003 study by the Population Council, an international research group, 96 percent of families surveyed reported that their daughters had undergone some form of circumcision by the time they reached 14.

<SNIP ... you should pardon the expression>

According to Lukman Hakim, the foundation’s chairman of social services, there are three “benefits” to circumcising girls.

“One, it will stabilize her libido,” he said through an interpreter. “Two, it will make a woman look more beautiful in the eyes of her husband. And three, it will balance her psychology.”

Four, it will make her incapable of enjoying sexual relations which, given that her husband sees her as "more beautiful" in this way, she probably would not have enjoyed anyway.

And don't give me that jive that it's the mothers and other womenfolk who impose this. It's all about the patriarchy baby.

 

Comments

[johnnykap]

As a counterpoint, what is your opinion on male circumcision?

[Antonia]

''The circumcision of boys, she adds, has demonstrated health benefits, namely reduced risk of infection and some protection against H.I.V.''

However, if there's soap and water around, and it is used regularly, I fail to see the benefit.

The difference is, men can still orgasm after being snipped.

One ''circumcision'' cuts some skin. The other removes or mutilates a sexual organ.

Anyone who can't tell the difference, doesn't get out very much.

[Chimera]

"Anyone who can't tell the difference, doesn't get out very much."

And he doesn't want women getting out at all!

[sooey]

Interesting that some of the same people who decry female circumcision as barbaric, which it is, would have no problem with the State forcing girls to bring unwanted pregnancies to term.

[johnnykap]

There's a huge benefit in the looks department, Zerby. Being cut is aesthetically superior. Of course I'm referring to the accepted male version of the act you decry. Hey, Sooey and I both used the word "decry" in a post!!!

[stephen.reeves]

Eh Sooey, would you want the state forcing abortions on girls,?? is that what the left has in store for us. Is the NDP going to come up with an abortion quota?

[sooey]

Look, if you really care so much about the unborn, instead of politicking to take reproductive choice rights away from women here, go over to China and politick for reproductive choice for women there.

[stephen.reeves]

Female 'circumcision is about male domination over women, male circumcision is a totally different thing, and the two should not be compared.

[steve]

Eh if you really care about the rights of women go to Saudia Arabia or Iran and politick for their rights there.(are you brave enough? we always hear how brave and fearless left wing women are in Canada).

[Antonia]

''There's a huge benefit in the looks department, Zerby. Being cut is aesthetically superior. ''

JK: I just love how you care about the mutilation of women here. How thoughtful of you to wave your thing around and tell us how beautiful it is while girls are being brutalized by patriarchal regimes.

[sooey]

We do politick for women's rights in Saudi Arabia and Iran, steve. You're a victim of your own rightwing propaganda, I'm afraid. And we beat the army to Afghanistan, too. So stick that in your pipe and smoke it.

[JMegan]

A celebratory gift? A glass of milk as refreshment? AWESOME, where do I sign up??

Altho, there does seem to be a sort of grotesque irony in the fact that the "gift" is often a piece of fruit...you lose one, you get one, it's all the same thing, right? Bleh.

[Jennifer]

The tragedy is that, because mothers take their daughters to be circumsized, people argue that these women are not being subjected to brutality but are active participants in this "rite". The crushing pressure of the society that gives mothers no choice isn't a factor, apparently.

[Berlynn]

I first read about FGM in a student newspaper in 1986 or 1987 and it appalled me then. It appalls me even more that it continues today. But what appalls me equally is a fetus fetishist making light of it! The anti-choice logic is based on the same logic as those who promote FGM.