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Hi,

I'm doing a research paper on FGM. For my paper I have to do a interview with someone who knows a lot about FGM. Here are my questions:

1.What exactly is FGM? (In your own words)
2. Do you think it can be stopped?
3. How can it be stopped?
4.How many women have gone through this horrific procedure?
5. In how many countries is FGM practiced?
6. Do you know any one who has undergone FGM?
7. How did they overcome it and who did this to them?
8. How old were they when this happened?

Thank you,
Andrea

 

Dear Andrea,

Here are my answers:

1. What exactly is FGM? (In your own words)
Female Genital Mutilation is a severe, painful and cruel procedure that either sews up the lips of a woman's vagina or cuts off her clitoris to deny her sexual pleasure.

2. Do you think it can be stopped?
FGM can be stopped by a public outcry about this atrocity and by people acknowledging that it is neither tradition or culture, but oppression that keeps this procedure in practice.

3. How can it be stopped?
See above.

4. How many women have gone through this horrific procedure?
How many women have gone through this horrific procedure? I don't have the statistics in front of me--it's close to 1 million - and Equality Now' site can confirm this statistic.

5. In how many countries is FGM practiced?
FGM happens in most counties, but it is most common in a African and/or Muslim countries - though it is certainly not limited to these countries.

6. Do you know any one who has undergone FGM?
I have met two women who have undergone FGM.

7. How did they overcome it and who did this to them?
They haven't fully overcome it - but they have worked to ensure that others don't have to go through it.

8. How old were they when this happened?
They were teenagers.

You should also reference our column: Spotlight on: Female Genital Mutilation. Hope that helps.

Amy

 

 
 
 

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