We need to talk about GFM
The practice of Female Genital Mutilation is a major issue amongst certain immigrant communities in Ireland. However, activists like Ifrah Ahmed are hopeful that new legislation before the Dáil – which will make it illegal to remove a child from the State for the purposes of FGM – will put an end to the practice.
Anne Sexton, 25 Aug 2011
Ahmed underwent a severe form of FGM when she was eight, involving the removal of the clitoris, the genital tissue and infibulation. The doctor used the same instrument on all the girls, she says, and the unsanitary way the procedure was done led to the death of one young girl.
“Afterwards they tied my legs together for weeks,” Ahmed explains.
The binding makes movement almost impossible and everyday activities such as urination are incredibly painful.
“It is like putting lemon juice on a wound,” she says.
A second operation took place as a teenager when it was noticed that Ahmed’s vaginal opening was not as small as it could be.
“The second time was the worst. The first time I was with other girls and we were all going through the pain together. That time I wanted to know, ‘Why me? Why do I have to go through this again?’ I don’t want to blame anyone. I don’t want to blame my grandmother or the doctor who did it.”
Ahmed is visibly upset discussing her experiences, but she believes that revealing what happened to her will help educate people.
“It used to be really difficult for me to talk about and I would cry. I still feel like crying at times, but discussing it is important.”
LEGISLATION IS JUST THE START
In the long run, Ahmed has found listeners, in the communities affected, in Irish political circles and across Europe, where she also campaigns. One yearly event she arranges is a fashion show, believing it is important to give young people entertainment along with education. The show attracts hundreds, including community members, activists and politicians.
“I’ve worked with Joe Costello for three years,” she says. “He comes to the events and talks about the problems with FGM.”
As France’s attempts to ban the burqa shows, countries making certain cultural practices illegal can be met with strong resistance from immigrant communities. Even where FGM is concerned, some of the weaker-kneed cultural relativists argue that Western nations are imposing their values on immigrants.
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Anne Sexton
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