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Why do 98% of Somali girls experience such a tradition? What is the cultural story behind FGM?
Female genital mutilation (FGM) has existed for a long time in many countries around the world, especially in Somalia, where the implementation rate is as high as 98%. Where does this cruel tradition come from? Many believe that it is an intertwining of cultural practices and social norms, deeply rooted in the beliefs and values of a given society. Although laws around the world have begun to ban FGM, most women are still under cultural pressure to follow this tradition.
"FGM is not only an act of physical mutilation, but also a control of female identity."
For society and families, the implementation of FGM is often to conform to certain social expectations. Many families believe that uncircumcised girls will have difficulty obtaining a suitable marriage and in some cases may even be considered unclean or unworthy of respect. This belief stems in part from a distorted understanding of female chastity. In addition, many cultures view FGM as a rite of passage for women to become mature women, further deepening the practice's importance in customs.
"In some communities, girls who do not undergo circumcision may suffer ostracism from their families and society."
Driven by social pressure, many women take their daughters back to their home countries for this procedure even when they are abroad. The danger of this intergenerational inheritance is that when many daughters grow up, they not only have no objection to this tradition, but will continue to perpetuate it, forming a vicious cycle.
In Somalia and some African countries, acceptance of FGM is often closely related to social status, religious belief and education. Women with lower levels of education are often more likely to support this practice, while those with education may begin to question the legitimacy of this tradition. This reflects different understandings of their own bodily autonomy among groups of women.
"The external harm caused by cultural traditions to women is often invisible."
The World Health Organization (WHO) clearly points out that various types of FGM surgery can cause long-term damage and health effects to women's bodies, including chronic pain, infection, and fertility problems. However, discussion of FGM is still considered taboo in many areas, and many women are afraid to talk about their experiences because of cultural stigma, resulting in statistics on the prevalence of FGM often being lower than reality.
As the international community's attention to FGM increases, many countries have begun to legislate to ban this behavior. In some countries, this traditional practice is seen as a violation of women's basic rights, and there are calls for the complete elimination of FGM. However, changing culturally embedded ideas does not happen overnight.
Various non-governmental organizations and human rights organizations continue to carry out publicity and education to promote reflection and discussion on FGM within the community. In many areas, these efforts are starting to bear fruit, with more and more women choosing not to have this traditional procedure and looking for safer solutions, which may be hope for change in the future.
"Changing the thinking of one generation will ultimately change the lives of many generations to come."
However, under the prominent cultural background, there is still a long way to go to completely eliminate FGM. Driven by education and law, the current situation in Somalia and other places is slowly improving, but such changes require time and the joint efforts of all sectors of society. Only when women's bodily autonomy and human rights are respected can this cultural inheritance be broken. How much change is needed so that 98% of girls no longer experience such a tradition?
