New warning on 'perfect vaginas' Nov 11, 2009
Douglas McGeorge, past president of the the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, rejected the comparison with female circumcision, arguing it was a relatively minor operation with few possible complications. "They've gone a bit over the top. Essentially this is just about removing a bit of loose flesh, leaving behind an elegant-looking labia with minimum scarring. The procedure won't interfere with sexual function. "Women want this for a number of reasons - some find it... (BBC News -- Health)
Uganda: Agencies Unite Against Female Circumcision Nov 5, 2009
com: Uganda: Agencies Unite Against Female Circumcision (Page 1 of 1). Agencies Unite Against Female Circumcision. (allAfrica.com)
* World News Quick Take Oct 31, 2009
Once a pseudo--religious group of dreadlocked youths who worshipped spirits in Mount Kenya and embraced rituals such as female circumcision, the Mungiki has evolved into an extortionist gang notorious for beheading victims. Twenty-one men who had been charged over clashes that left 29 people dead were freed earlier this month alongside Mungiki leader Maina Njenga, who is also the chairman of the Kenya National Youth Alliance. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Africa: A Ritual Of Danger Oct 31, 2009
" The Somalian woman who gave this account was describing a rite undergone by more than 80 million African women. Female circumcision -- the mutilation of the external genital organs -- is a centuries-old rite of passage, intended to ensure that young women become desirable wives. It frequently causes life- threatening blood loss and infection. It can also lead to painful intercourse, infertility and difficult childbirth. While often erroneously linked to Islamic scripture, it is not mandated by... (Time.com)
Mungiki sect head freed in Kenya Oct 24, 2009
MUNGIKI SECT Banned in 2002 Thought to be ethnic Kikuyu militants Mungiki means multitude in Kikuyu Inspired by the Mau Mau rebellion of the 1950s Claim to have more than 1m followers Promote female circumcision and oath-taking Believed to be linked to high-profile politicians Control public transport routes, extorting money Blamed for revenge murders in the central region. "I had a very good time [in jail] to study the Bible that is why now I will come to you like a professor of the Bible," he... (BBC News -- Africa)
Report From Israel: The Coming Intifada? Oct 22, 2009
Some of the Bedouin tribes in the south, for instance, practice female circumcision, something which would not be tolerated if not for the fear of upsetting the delicate balance of the Israeli social fabric. In the same manner, many Jewish religious communities take their disputes to their own rabbinical courts, bypassing the official legal system entirely. (CBS News)
Uganda: Female Circumcision Still a Vote Winner Oct 20, 2009
com: Uganda: Female Circumcision Still a Vote Winner (Page 1 of 2). Female Circumcision Still a Vote Winner ... Today Chebet is a primary school teacher and campaigns against female circumcision, otherwise known as female genital mutilation. (allAfrica.com)
Heart full of pride at sight of veil Oct 19, 2009
But wearing a veil is not female circumcision which needless to say, I do condemn. It is merely a symbol. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Immigrations minister 'must accept' God role Sep 24, 2009
Yesterday, the Kenyan high commission said the women, who feared female circumcision, were selfish. It said the fact the pair arrived in Australia ''under the guise of attending the World Youth Day festivities negates any claim towards their lives having been in danger The Kenyan Government will take responsibility for their safety. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Minister putting lives 'at risk' Sep 24, 2009
Minister putting lives 'at risk. Minister putting lives 'at risk. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Calif. man drowns at Lake Mohave Sep 14, 2009
A court has cleared a man on a charge of mutilating his young daughter's genitals in the Netherlands' first trial linked to an alleged female circumcision ceremony. Haarlem District Court judges say there is no doubt the girl u 000037BD nderwent female circumcision but there is insufficient evidence to convict her father. (Fresno Bee -- State)
Why Dick Cheney is More American than Barack Obama Sep 6, 2009
The man was never confused, however, over whether or not subjugation of women, honor killings and female circumcision were "American values.". . (Townhall.com)
Pioneering surgery for female circumcision victims Sep 3, 2009
Pioneering op gives female circumcision victims hope - CNN.com. Pioneering op gives female circumcision victims hope ... More than 130 million have suffered from female circumcision worldwide. (CNN -- Health)
Kenya: Killing the Cut but Keeping Tradition Alive Sep 1, 2009
"Female circumcision rites had a dual role; the cut, yes, but there was also the period of seclusion following the cut, during which girls were schooled in the ways of women in Meru society - how they should behave in polite society, how they should interact with men and how to be a respectable member of society," said Gilbert Musai, of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Meru, which, with the Catholic Relief Services NGO, runs an alternative rite-of-passage (ARP) that teaches local girls both new and... (allAfrica.com)
Ethiopia: Ethiopia - Quest For a Lost Muslim City Jul 30, 2009
One of these is Count Byron Khun de Prorok, a real-life Indiana Jones, though an archaeologist who preferred to witness cultural scenes such as female circumcision, possession cults and slave caravans than sift through dirt on his hands and knees. Count de Prorok's ripping yarn Dead Men Do Tell Tales, published in 1942, tells of expedition mishaps with seeming disregard for the damage they caused, such as falling through floors and destroying precious artefacts. (allAfrica.com)
Rise of Somali Gangs Plagues Minneapolis Jul 21, 2009
Colin Powell decided to bring in tens of thousands of these Somalis even though a lot of them were still practicing female circumcision of their little girls. They are all strict Muslims. (CBS News -- US)
Search site aims to rival Google Jul 20, 2009
Few prosecutions for female circumcision. US soldier in hostage video. (Yahoo News -- Internet and WWW)
Kosovo riots 'were orchestrated' Jul 20, 2009
Few prosecutions for female circumcision. Russians celebrate cucumber festival. (Yahoo News -- Kosovo)
Al-Qaeda chemical expert 'killed' Jul 20, 2009
Few prosecutions for female circumcision. Man in the Mirror: Many faces of Michael. (Yahoo News -- Terrorism & 9/11)
Uganda seeks to ban female circumcision Jul 13, 2009
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni wants to ban the practice of female circumcision in his country ... In Uganda, President Yoweri Museveni wants to outlaw female circumcision, and those that continue to perform the bloody practice would face the death penalty if a girl dies as a result of the procedure, Press Secretary Tamale Mirundi told CNN Wednesday ... Museveni's move to ban female circumcision is in line with other countries and organizations that have sought to decrease the prevalence of... (CNN -- World)
Uganda: Country to Get Law Against Female Circumcision Jul 3, 2009
Kampala A law against female circumcision will soon be enacted, President Yoweri Museveni has said ... He dismissed the argument that female circumcision is part of the culture of the Karimojong ... Some women have become paralysed while others have died due to female circumcision, he noted. (allAfrica.com)
Senegal: Fistula Sufferers Left to Their Fate Jul 1, 2009
He tells IPS, "Here, girls don't get to go to school. They are married off at an early age. I have classmates who were taken out of school to be married off. Some died during childbirth and others developed fistula. I think it is important for parents to change their thinking, but we must also severely punish women who carry out female circumcision.". Be the first to. (allAfrica.com)
Kenya: Calling On the Leadership to Be Counted [opinion] Jun 5, 2009
This group does not believe in Christianity and calls for the traditional Kikuyu way of life, including practicing female circumcision. Owing largely to its stand on those two issues, the strongly christianised Kikuyu community has been unsympathetic towards this group and has largely demonised the sect. (allAfrica.com)
Michelle Goldberg looks at women's rights, globally Apr 17, 2009
In Kenya, Goldberg profiles a woman named Agnes Pareyio who harbors runaway teenage girls who flee their homes to escape the painful rite of passage, female circumcision. In the early '90s, spurred by Western news reports, U.S. and Western diplomats pressured African countries to pass laws condemning the practice. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
African villages denounce female circumcision Apr 16, 2009
Rate of female circumcision has dropped but still common in west of Niger ... Female genital mutilation, which is also called female circumcision, is commonly performed on young girls without anesthesia, and is extremely painful and traumatizing, UNICEF said. (CNN -- International)
Female genital mutilation denounced Apr 16, 2009
African villages denounce female circumcision - CNN.com ... African villages denounce female circumcision ... Rate of female circumcision has dropped but still common in west of Niger. (CNN -- Health)
KSFO show on Muslims crosses the line Apr 10, 2009
The discussion featured such intolerant sound bites as "the great honorable qualities of that good old time religion Islam: honor killings, female circumcision, not allowing women to drive ... Jews are monkeys, pigs.". There is little doubt that Islam, like all religions, has its extremist elements, which mainstream Muslims do not welcome and actively work to oppose. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Opinion)
photos from Medicins du Monde UK Mar 8, 2009
The Bride's Price / Giovanni Marrozzini, Italy Female Circumcision is a form of violence that affects more than two million girls every year. The victims are usually between the age of four and twelve years old. (AlertNet)
Aid in Kenya takes hit from downturn Mar 1, 2009
They include building rainwater-harvesting tanks at the local school, which has no water or electricity; helping Masai bead workers market their beads; increasing awareness about the dangers of female circumcision; and improving inoculation and water supplies for cattle. Lacking government support, Ole Sayo and other young, educated Masai are having to step in to try to provide their community with basics taken for granted even in Kenya's capital. (Globe and Mail)
RPT-FEATURE-Downturn to cost billions in aid to world's poor Feb 26, 2009
His projects include building rainwater collection tanks at a school, helping Maasai bead workers market their crafts, increasing awareness of female circumcision and improving inoculation and water supplies for cattle. "It is a new problem," he says, "one I'm not sure how we can fight.". (AlertNet)
Uphill battle to shake the bias Feb 22, 2009
Isatou Touray from Gambia spoke of the pain of betrayal by Islamic male ulamaks (clerics) in her region who lied to the people claiming that female circumcision (politically correctly known as female genital mutilation) is an injunction of Islam. She was horrified to find years later that there was nothing in the Quran demanding this. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- News)
• Compassion to action Feb 20, 2009
BLAIR KOCH/For the Times-NewsCollege of Southern Idaho theater students Wendy Duran, left, and Christa Frazier rehearse monologues about living with female circumcision, or vaginal mutilation, as practiced in some countries. The narratives are in the college's production of 'Speak Truth to Power: Voices from Beyond the Dark,' a one-act play by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and novelist Ariel Dorfman. (Burley South Idaho Press, ID)
