What is FGM/C, and what can we do about it?
On February 6, the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, Kota organized a panel discussion on “What is FGM/C and what can we do about it?”. Panelistswere Deborah Ottenheimer, Director of Women’s Health at Morrisania Diagnostic and Treatment Center; Natasha Johnson, Founder of Globalizing Gender; and Mariama Diallo of Sanctuary for Families. All panelists, as well as the moderator, Jaana Rehnstrom of Kota, have recently been appointed to the Mayor’s FGMC Advisory Committee.
“One has to be very careful at looking at this as something happening only to people from one culture”
FGM/C is often viewed as an issue, that happens far away from American shores. The limitations brought on by ideas such as this, are problematic. FGM/C happens in one form or another in every part of the world. The practice was only made illegal in the US in 1996, and was still practiced as a medical procedure for young girls until the 1970’s.
“A lot needs to be done in the U.S. to normalize the discussion around FGM/C, for us to be able to provide the services needed by survivors in a safe environment”
Aside from a relative historical closeness to the practice in the US, the othering of FGM/C and gender-based violence bring significant problems in the work for both preventing it, and treating survivors searching for help. As the issue gets pushed aside, tools for handling it are not effectively developed – a sentiment held by all panelists. In prevention work as well as in treatment, sensitivity training and wide knowledge of the issue – not only medical, but also social, cultural, and psychological – needs to be ensured. For this to happen, a normalization of the conversation of not only FGM/C, but of women’s sexual and reproductive health in general, needs to be established.
“The laws available are not effective in fighting FGM/C”
Normalization of the discourse is also crucial when creating clear laws and policies around FGM/C. Legally there are varying protocols, most of which are not as firm as they should be, leaving too many discrepancies and loopholes in existing policies.
FGM/C continues to affect the lives of young girls and women globally. The practice, that in many cases is life-threatening, needs to actively be addressed both locally, and globally. Treatment and education of the matter needs to be safely available. Prevention work needs to be active and adamant. Every girl and woman must be guaranteed the integrity of their own body.
Daniel Woodward / The Kota Alliance