Activist Warns Against Genital Mutilation

Yahoo News ^ | November 25, 2004 | WILLIAM J. KOLE

[kupia_kummi]

VIENNA, Austria - Many of Europe's African immigrants are subjecting their young daughters to ritual genital mutilation, and authorities are doing little to discourage it, a leading women's rights activist warned Thursday.

Somalia-born supermodel and best-selling author Waris Dirie, who has campaigned to end the disfiguring practice she suffered at age 5 in her homeland, said she estimates one in every three African families living in Europe is secretly carrying out the ritual on daughters born here. No official figures exist.

The procedure — illegal in most European countries — is especially prevalent in Germany and the Netherlands, as well as in Austria, where an estimated 8,000 girls born into immigrant families have been affected, Dirie said.

"We don't know who's doing it and where," because there are few initiatives to prevent it or to encourage doctors, nurses, social workers, teachers and others to report suspected cases, Dirie said. An exception is France, where there is strong awareness and education, she said.

"What good is a law if no one is paying attention?" Dirie told reporters in Austria, where she was being honored Thursday by a Roman Catholic men's movement for her efforts to stop the practice.

Islamic religious leaders are telling Europe's Muslim Africans that the prophets recommend the ancient ritual, which involves the removal of the clitoris, often with a dull blade and no anesthesia, Dirie said.

"That is a catastrophe," she said. "Every imam who is not actively against genital mutilation is guilty. Mutilation is not a tradition — it's a crime that must be abolished."

[kupia_kummi]

The procedure — illegal in most European countries — is especially prevalent in Germany and the Netherlands, as well as in Austria, where an estimated 8,000 girls born into immigrant families have been affected, Dirie said. Hard to believe they tolerate this in Europe !

[bikepacker67]

Just more TROP slop.

[Land_of_Lincoln_John]

I believe the practice itself is illegal, but they could also charge the mutilators and any parents with child abuse as well. Imprison them, then deport them.

[sierrahome]

Islamic religious leaders are telling Europe's Muslim Africans that the prophets recommend the ancient ritual, which involves the removal of the clitoris, often with a dull blade and no anesthesia, Dirie said.

Oh...it's Islam...again.

[BIGZ]

In talking to God, Moses replied "you are going to give the Arabs all the oil and your going to cut a half inch off what?"

[redheadtoo]

Female circumcision, just one more reason to thank God that I was born an American.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Ping

[MeekMom]

More evil from the Muslim religion? Say it ain't so!

/sarcasm

[doubtfullyhopefull]

It is not female circumcision...they cut OFF the clitorus. That is equivalent to cutting the penis OFF... not circumcision.

[redheadtoo]

It is not female circumcision...they cut OFF the clitoris. That is equivalent to cutting the penis OFF... not circumcision.

In its most severe form the entire clitoris is amputated. However, not all Muslim groups practice this drastic procedure. It is more common to remove the hood of the clitoris rather than the entire clitoris. In its least severe form a small, symbolic cut is made in the hood of the clitoris.

It is however a practice that I would like to see done away with. By the way I am no fan of male circumcision either.