Cross-posted at DailyKos. An NGO, the Niger Committee on Deadly Traditional Practices (aka Coniprat) has retrained about 40 circumcisors in Niger since it began in 1992:
“The NGO gave me a 50,000 CFA franc (about 100 dollars) loan to fund a new business. Thank God, I’m making a lot more money selling spices than I was as a circumcisor.”
: : : More below : : :
“This (genital mutilation) is a subject which has long been taboo in our country. But by now, it has lost its mystique. People talk about it openly and circumcisors are ready to give up the profession to take on new ones, especially due to the awareness…and training campaigns we’ve conducted on the dangers of the practice,” [Conipart president Maiga Amsou] Amadou told IPS.
Although circumcision was banned here in 2003 it remains widespread in the country, as elsewhere in Africa – where the United Nations Children’s Fund estimates that up to 130 million women have undergone the practice. According to Coniprat, the area of Tillaberi has one of the highest rates of circumcision in the country – about 30 percent. In the capital of Niamey and surrounding regions, the rate is 17 percent.
[………………………]
According to the 2003 law which outlawed circumcision, those who carry out the practice – or attempt to do so – are liable for imprisonment of up to three years and fines ranging from 40 to 400 dollars. In the event that a girl dies as a result of circumcision, the person who carried out the procedure will receive a prison term of 10 to 20 years – as will those who assisted them.
However, the effects of these penalties have yet to be felt.
“The law is not enforced because to enforce it, you have to first see it (mutilation) happening; people have to inform on the circumcisor and she has to be caught in the act,” says Amadou.
In July 2003, an African Union (AU) summit held in Mozambique adopted a protocol calling for genital mutilation to be banned across the continent.
However, the ‘Maputo Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa’ must be ratified by at least 15 of the AU’s 53 states before it can enter into force. As of early February this year, 10 countries were reported to have endorsed the measure.
Read the rest of the article, which describes the practice in detail: A Hundred Dollars Goes a Long Way to Ending Genital Mutilation, by Ousseini Issa for IPS (Inter Press Service News Agency).
__________________________________________
Recommended:
The documentary Moolaadé (2004)
“Six girls escape from an African ceremony of female circumcision. Two flee to the city while Colle Ardo Gallo Sy, one of the wives of a village tribesman, takes four in.
Colle puts the spell of Moolaade, protection, over the girls, to keep them safe.”
__________________________________________
Roger Ebert writes:
Sometimes I seek the right words, and I despair. What can I write that will inspire you to see “Moolaade?” This was for me the best film at Cannes 2004, a story vibrating with urgency and life. It makes a powerful statement and at the same time contains humor, charm and astonishing visual beauty.
But even my words of praise may be the wrong ones, sending the message that this is an important film, and therefore hard work. Moviegoers who will cheerfully line up for trash are cautious, even wary, about attending a film they fear might be great. And if I told you the subject of the film is female circumcision — would I lose you? And if I placed the story in an African village, have you already decided to see “National Treasure” instead?
All I can tell you is, “Moolaade” is a film that will stay in my memory and inform my ideas long after other films have vaporized. It takes place in a village in Senegal, where ancient customs exist side by side with battery-powered radios, cars and trucks, and a young man returning from Paris. Traditional family compounds surround a mosque; they are made in ancient patterns from sun-baked mud and have the architectural beauty of everything that is made on the spot by the people who will use it, using the materials at hand. The colors of this world are the colors of sand, earth, sky and trees, setting off the joyous colors of the costumes. …
PHOTO: Coulibaly Fatoumata, star of “Moolaadé,” at Cannes 2004. (Photo by Roger Ebert)
Coniprat site: Niger: Présentation des organisations et liens (in French)
I didn’t include all the graphic parts of the article. We all know about this issue, and I don’t think there’s any sense in repeating the details.
I find it wonderful that there’s such a simple, effective solution.
And I love Roger Ebert’s review of the movie! He took that photo too!
I read this but couldn’t post right away. Had to come back to it. Such a horrible subject. Although when I first heard about this some 20 years ago or so it seemed much more hopeless.
Thanks for printing a story that gives some hope for this whole atrocity to be done away with.
I heard Ebert review this awhile ago and wondered how he could give such a glowing review to a movie containing such awful subject matter. Reading the review makes it even better as he is so passionate about the subject.
Then again he’s the only movie critic who is really worth paying any attention to on the subject of movies in my opinion. He has such a great love of movies and that always comes through in his reviews. He’s thoughtful and fun and never nasty as a lot of reviewers can be. (and I still slip and say Siskel and Ebert instead of Ebert and Roper)
It is a horrible subject but this is truly a GOOD NEWS story .. there is HOPE!
And I like Ebert too. I think he sells out a bit to major studios, but he has a wonderful heart, and it shows in his writings.
What a great review (and thank you for cutting out all the graphic stuff… we do indeed already know about the practice, I think). Such a tragic situation, but one offering hope, which is good.
Amazing what is to many a small amount of money, a used sewing machine or a goat can do for someone in a Majority World country, as Ductape pointed out the other day. I’m adding this to my list of ‘things we can do’ lol.
If one of you who speaks FRENCH could help me, we could find the link to this NGO, and see if there’s a way we can help them.
Well, despite my name, I can’t speak French 🙁 . I wonder if Oui can? Wait! Jerome in Paris must speak it, and probably others do too. You maybe could put out a call on the open thread?
I wish I spoke other languages well. But, I’m an American. As a whole, we don’t do other languages well. Sigh. (Plus it’s not one of my abilities … wish I had it.)
They seem to only have an address and a phone number, although one of their organizations seems to have an email address.
If we find someone to translate the page, or if they do and it’s not enough information, maybe we can either see if we can reach someone there that speaks English, or have someone who speaks French email and get full info.
Then we can post it and mail it around and stuff.
And yep, most Americans are disadvantaged that way, it seems, knowing only one language, sadly. (I used to speak Spanish, but have lost it most of it.)
Thank you, Nanette
…
I’m listening to Dr. Phil defend why the asst principal called the police when the girl was handcuffed. He says that was a bad decision, but they were just trying to do their jobs.
I think Dr. Phil and Dr. Laura and so on are our modern day versions of self-flagellation or something. Well, maybe not self, but they seem to fulfill some need in some people to be told they are bad (not that I’ve listened to or watched either one of them often.. that’s just my brief impression).
I don’t know if calling the cops was a bad decision, per se… but once you do, you pretty much give up control of any situation… so if they want to slap a 5 year old in handcuffs or taser them (as has happened), they can, and you can do nothing about it.
Maybe we need child intervention people or something, who know how to deal with wild children without doing silly stuff like that.
and send the article to nine other people.
You will find information about african organisations fighting harmful traditional practices in my post Against female genital mutilation on Booman’s diary “The 3000/1000 Club”