CODE OF SILENCE JOSIE WOODERSON Despite being illegal in the UK since 1985, an estimated 30,000 girls are at risk of mutilation today. From ritual cleansing and purification to virginity and fidelity upon marriage, the motivations for performing female genital mutilation are many, however it is an abuse of women’s rights in the most intimate sense. It has no medical benefits, and is commonly misconceived as a religious obligation, yet none of the major holy books such as the Qur’an or The Bible make reference to it. A girl’s chastity is controlled either by reducing desire and the possibility of experiencing sexual pleasure, or by sheer obstruction of her vagina. FGM, in many cases, acts as a chastity belt of flesh. In the FGM capital of Europe; London, Dr Comfort Momoh performs deinfibulations (the surgical reversal of the closure of the vaginal opening) on two women a week. Despite many people moving away from countries which typically practice FGM, the expectation to perform the cultural practice is only increased for diaspora communities in the UK in order to maintain their cultural identity as a community. There are a number of charities and organisations that exist to support and advise girls who are at risk, or women who are currently living with the damaging consequences. These services provide a vital role in the safeguarding of women and girls, and in the coming months they will be coming together to hold a summer campaign to raise the profile of FGM in the run up to the most high risk time of year for girls to be cut; the summer holidays.
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1 An art piece used as a platform for educating people about FGM, depicts the different types of mutilation which range from the removal of a part of the clitoris, to total excision of the entire external genitalia and the sewing up of the raw tissue to create just a small hole to allow the passing of urine and menstrual blood. 2 Integrate Bristol is a charity that helps young people from other countries and cultures to integrate and adapt to life in the UK. They aim to give the youth a platform to express their views and ideas, and support those in the community who are bravely trying to eradicate the harmful practice of FGM, through various educational and creative projects. 3 “What we aim to do is educate the youth, so then they have a basis to argue against it. They can still influence the decision if they wanted to. We’re trying to teach them skills to first be happy within themselves, and be strong enough to say what they believe and think, without being embarrassed or ashamed.”