It Is My 'pleasure' That You Steal.

She stares at herself in the mirror, only to find it missing... Or more like stolen.
Stolen.. when she didn't have a voice to speak.
Stolen... And now she can't ever get it back.
Her 'pleasure' was stolen from her.
My dear mates, what do you think I'm speaking about ?
Today's wryt-up is inspired by a news article that I read in the New York times.

"U.K jails mother for Female Genital Mutilation"

The British court has sentenced a 37-year old mother for 11 years for performing FGM (female genital mutilation) on her 3 year old daughter. Is this the first case to take place? In the history of UK, yes; in the world, No. Will this be the last case to take place? DEFINITELY NOT.

Before we dive into the current status of FGM, let's have a look at what it is defined as and how it affects the females of our society.

Female Genital Mutilation or FGM, refers to the mutilation or cutting of any part of the female genitals for non-medical reasons. It is usually practiced under socio-cultural beliefs on girls from the age of infancy up till the age of puberty. It is one of the greatest wrongdoings against females.

More than 200 million females, present in our society have 'undergone the knife' and there are further 3 million more who are at a risk of undergoing this procedure. (Date and tallies taken from the report by The World Health Organisation article on Female Genital Mutilation.)

Are there any health benefits of this procedure? NO.
Then why is it practiced? Well, here are a couple of reasons :-

1) In communities where FGM has been practiced since ages, it's almost a social-norm to be followed by every family so that they can be accepted into the culture.

2)In such cultures, it is believed that females come into this world impure and need to undergo this procedure so they can clean and pure before marriage.

3) It is considered to reduce a female's libido (sexual urge) and hence help in prevention of extra-marital affairs. In some cases even the vagina is partially closed so the female won't take a risk of pre-marital affair and render herself impure before marriage.

It's not just places like Middle-east where this procedure is practiced, India too, is recognised by the UN for FGM.

FGM is practiced by the Dawoodi Bohra sect of Islam which currently has 1 million members as it's practitioners. Women of this community have raised their voices against it, but they all seem to be unheard. The head of the sect implies that it is an injurious procedure, but I suppose medical practitioners know better. As much as it violates the law against Child Rights (Act 14 and Act 21) in the Constitution of India it is also protected by the Act 25 and Act 26 of religious practices.

To conclude,We all have a voice, but lack the courage to raise it. Females aren't the only ones who undergo this procedure, Males bear the brunt ofit too.

"Be aware, Be safe, It's never too late.
Wake up, Recognise, Be wise."

Stay tuned to hear more from Xyris Vendetta, until then Adiós my mates!

xoxo.