STATS: About 2 million girls are mutilated yearly which amounts to about 1 every 16 seconds.
remove the stigma associated with FGM and open the dialogue for healing? I think encouraging survivors to speak out and tell their stories is the first step. We have done this with “Their Voice�conference which was held on July 16 at the New York Academy of medicine where survivors spoke out from their hearts for the first time. It was a very emotional experience that moved the audience to tears but took a lot of courage. But it was definitely the beginning of healing and the birth of new advocates. These young survivors are now receiving free counseling to help them with the healing process and give them strength to carry on the advocacy against FGM that they have started with their words. Q:. Can you share with our readers the dangers associated with FGM? There are many. FGM is associated with both physical and mental trauma. The immediate and long-term health consequences of female genital mutilation vary according to the type and severity of the procedure performed. Immediate complications include severe pain, shock, hemorrhage, urine retention, ulceration of the genital region and injury to adjacent tissue. Hemorrhage and infection have resulted in many deaths. Long-term consequences include cysts and abscesses, keloid scar formation, damage to the urethra resulting
in urinary incontinence, dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse), sexual dysfunction and difficulties with childbirth. Psychologically, FGM may leave a lasting mark on the life and mind of the woman who has undergone it. In the longer term, women may suffer feelings of incompleteness, anxiety and depression. Q: What is the biggest challenge that surivors of FGM are facing right now, can you share some statistics? There are over 140 million women who have been genitally mutilated in the world today. About 2 million more are mutilated yearly which amounts to about 1 every 16 seconds. In the US, there have been about 300,000 reported cases which is an underestimation of the actual number of cases in the US because there is a shroud of silence over it which we are trying to change. There is a sense of shame particularly by survivors in the US because they are aware of the western view of the practice. Getting them to speak out can be challenging. Also a lot of survivors cannot afford the healthcare costs associated with treatment for consequences. We are trying to help with that by partnering with healthcare providers and opening a free hospital specifically for them.