The Boston Sunday Globe magazine featured Dr. Nawal Nour in "Bostonians Changing the World." Dr. Nour's mission is to convince immigrant women (African and Middle Eastern) not to "circumcise" their daughters. She's an obstetrician-gynecologist (born in Sudan) who works at Brigham and Women's Hospital and is an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. From the article:
"The majority of my patients have undergone the most severe form of female genital cutting, the complete removal of the external genitalia and subsequent sewing together of the remaining tissue, leaving a small hole for urination and menstruation...... My patients cringe from the label "mutilation." They consider themselves circumcised, so that is the term I use with them."
"I founded the African Women's Health Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital in 1999. We take care of women with complications from genital cutting, and we perform reconstructive surgery to improve their lives. Being Sudanese-American enables me to traverse two cultures, to understand the needs of my African patients easily, without judgment or discrimination. Being an obstetrician-gynecologist grants me their respect and the freedom to delve into sensitive subjects like circumcision and sexuality. Africans who practice female genital cutting believe they are upholding a noble tradition."
Where are these women bringing their daughters to have their labia and clitoris removed and sewn up? Is it done on trips back to their home country? Please don't tell me it's being done here in the U.S.
"I have heard all of the arguments for continuing this practice, and I have challenged them all. Some days I win, some days I lose. Changing a woman's lifelong belief isn't easy, especially with a daily reminder of the tradition literally cut into her body. I have developed counter arguments instead: No, it is not more hygienic to be circumcised. No, Islam does not condone it. No, it does not improve fertility. No, the clitoris is not toxic. Yes, the practice used to ensure marriage ability, but studies show that men now prefer uncircumcised women. Yes, virginity is important, but studies show that even circumcised girls do what they wish. And yes, I understand that circumcision can be considered a means of beautification, but the health hazards outweigh the concerns of vanity."
It is likely (though not proven) that Dr. Nour's low-key persuasion yields better results than outlawing this abominable practice. Yet if there was ever a time to be judgemental about a cultural/religous practice, this is it. The British successfully stamped out the practice of sati, where an Indian widow had to throw herself on her husband's funeral pyre. Why can't we stamp out FGM in short order too? Where is the resolve of the West to end such atrocities?
I applaud Dr. Nour's work and her dedication. There's not much public awareness of FGM. When Alice Walker's book Possessing the Secret of Joy came out in 1992, it caused quite a stir. We need more stirring on this.
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