Rédaction Africa Links 24 with babucarr balajo
Published on 2024-03-07 09:55:06
Female circumcision is a practice that has been widely misunderstood and misinterpreted. Some may argue that women in the past underwent this practice and still had normal childbirth. While it is true that not every circumcised woman faces issues, it is important to recognize that cutting a woman’s genitalia serves no health or moral benefits. Every part of a woman’s genitalia has a specific function and purpose, and cutting it serves only to subject her to unnecessary pain and potential harm in the future.
It is crucial to understand that while some women may have had a “clean” cut, others have experienced negative consequences in marriage and childbirth due to a “bad” cut. It is disheartening to hear some imams and politicians argue that female circumcision is part of Islamic tradition, without providing any specific guidance or prescriptions from the Holy Prophet. The reality is that the Prophet did not carry out female circumcision on his own women, nor did he declare it as an obligation for all women of the ummah.
One young lady’s experience highlighted the impact of female circumcision, as she shared her sister’s struggle to be able to have intercourse on her wedding night due to being “extended” at the hospital. This practice of sealing girls after circumcision is not only unnecessary but can also lead to physical and emotional trauma for women. As a Mandinka Muslim man, it became clear to me that even if it is just one girl or one woman, I will stand against female circumcision to protect her.
The argument that female circumcision is necessary to teach young girls good manners is flawed, as there are other more appropriate ways to instill values in young individuals. Similarly to scarification, which was once a common practice but is now largely abandoned, female circumcision serves no benefit and only perpetuates harm.
It is concerning to see well-educated individuals defending the practice of female circumcision as Islamic or necessary. While there are many legitimate issues facing women, it is important not to use false equivalences to justify harmful practices. The fact remains that the female genitalia, like the human face, does not need to be cut or reshaped.
After 1000 years of Islam in this country, it is disappointing that female circumcision remains a contentious issue. It is heartbreaking to think of the millions of young girls who continue to suffer due to the poor judgment of parents, imams, and politicians. These innocent girls deserve better, and it is our responsibility to protect them from unnecessary harm and suffering.
Read the original article on The Standard
