Dear colleagues, Well I have been following the discussion on culture and violence against women. I have worked for an organization, which aimed at doing away with circumcision (FGM) and early marriage and any form of violence against women and girls. As there were different forms of circumcision and thus reasons/justifications behind them, we had to take different strategies. The community which I wish to say mutilated their women and girls, had the "religion" (ACCORDING TO THEM) to support them. They claimed that the Muslim religion prescribes it and even go to the extent of mentioning stories from what they believe supports their actions. We being of another faith know little or nothing in order to explain what is prescribed and not prescribed. So we had to take a Sheik/Mullah if you prefer to talk, argue and maybe convince these people that FGM is not in the Koran. We had to talk to the Sheik first to find out what he thinks about circumcision in the Koran. Any one who knows the Koran will tell that is not to be found in there. So this automatically gives you a strong support to argue against unfounded claims. At the time what I was looking out for was the arguments that were coming from the people.
It is not very common to talk about the genitals of any body out in the open but you do get people to think about it. Once the seed (idea) is put in there, it starts to develop. You also look for people who support your objection to the act from the community. You enquire what happens to a mutilated body. You let them explain to there own people. You work with schools and children explaining the complications. What we want people to do is to reason out not just accept because it is the trend. The best thing to do is make sure that people argue about the issue bring it out in the open. The problem is not in the practice alone but is in the acceptance without question. With early marriage also the same applies. When you go to the Christian community they do not give you any religious justification but a reflection of the superiority of men over women. This exists with the acceptance of both parties. You will find that you would have to resort to complications seen as a support to argue against the practice. Here again you have to find people who have gone through complications or who has seen the results of it. So though an outsider, you can always find ways by working with the members of the community. You might find yourself with men supporting and women not supporting you but what you need is somebody on your side. Our ultimate aim is to enable people to make their own decision on their own without destroying the next person's life. When you consider the lives lost through FGM you will be elated knowing that you could convince one person and save one child's life. So I do not think we should dwell on number only but consider each life saved a reward. What I believe is the problem is the importance given to these issues. Do we feel that the issue of violence against women is given the importance that it deserves? Had it been the case by just educating people a lot of lives could have been saved. I believe at whatever cost the whole community should be made to speak about the issue. Usually in our community the abused will be treated more badly once the truth surfaces. Like if a girl is raped, it is a shame for her not for the guy so she either will be married off to him or keep quiet and live. But so far the environment is not conducive to enable the victims to speak or the culprit to get the right punishment. So I believe outsiders could play a role in arranging the forums for discussion in areas where talking about violence is a taboo specially if is committed on women and girls. Seblewongel Deneke Panos Ethiopia End Violence against women ***End-violence is sponsored by UNIFEM and receives generous support from ICAP*** To post a message, send it to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe end-violence OR type: unsubscribe end-violence Archives of previous End-violence messages can be found at: http://www.edc.org/GLG/end-violence/hypermail/
