Female Genital Mutilation

I can't imagine a 9 year old being a wife and the old beast having sex with her days after mutilation! how sick and evil? this is a big crime WORLD LEADERS IN THE WEST WHY DO YOU CONTINUE SMILING WITH AFRICAN LEADERS WHO DON'T EVEN CARE ABOUT CHILDREN? HISTORY WILL JUDGE YOU IF YOU DON'T HELP IN ENDING ROBBING OF CHILDHOOD AND FGM!

Africa - Tilda - Sweet Mother

To my sweet mother and all the sweet mothers of the world..(.Women givers of life we are all mothers we nature)

Child prostitution in Kenya as young as 3yrs

onathan Rugman reports on the child sex trade in Kenya, amid fears that up to 20,000 children are engaged in some form of under-age sex work - often with white men. from Europe

Female Genital Mutilation - "The Cut" (teaser)

SHOT IN MY VILLAGE LAST YEAR BY MY SISTER LINDA MAY

FGM and Culture

N'Kosi Sikeleli Africa- With Miriam Makeba

The lyrics employ the five most populous of South Africa's eleven official languages - Xhosa (first stanza, first two lines), Zulu (first stanza, last two lines), Sesotho (second stanza), Afrikaans (third stanza) and English (final stanza).

Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika
Maluphakanyisw' uphondo Iwayo
Yizwa imithandazo yethu
Nkosi sikelela thina lusapho Iwayo

Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso
O fedise dintwa le matshwenyeho
O se boloke, o se boloke setjhaba sa heso
Setjhaba sa South Africa
South Africa...

Uit die blou van onse hemel
Uit die diepte van ons see
Oor ons ewige gebergtes
Waar die kranse antwoord gee

Sounds the call to come together
And united we shall stand
Let us live and strive for freedom
In South Africa our land

Sarafina - Freedom Is Coming

YES FREEDOM ATLAST PAPA MANDELA...

Mashua voice for the voiceless: Convincing grandmothers key to ending genital mutilation of girls reaserch by Moshe Mucheke for Mashua Against FGM Tam

Mashua voice for the voiceless: Convincing grandmothers key to ending genital mutilation of girls reaserch by Moshe Mucheke for Mashua Against FGM Tampa

Convincing grandmothers key to ending genital mutilation of girls reaserch by Moshe Mucheke for Mashua Against FGM Tampa

KOLDA REGION, Senegal — In this corner of West Africa, old women are both ubiquitous and invisible. They feed, heal and watch the children; settle family squabbles; and sit in the shade of thatched awnings as the world passes them by.

Until, that is, Judi Aubel, a tall 62-year-old Californian, appears at the foot of their huts with a broad smile like a safari-bound Mary Poppins. Then, the old women throw up their arms in welcome, pump their visitor's hand, and share with Aubel all manner of confidences.

Aubel, an anthropologist and community health specialist, first got involved with elderly women in 1993 on a trip to Thailand. While parents worked the fields, grandmothers played a crucial role feeding children.

"We have prejudices against old people when in fact they are very wise," said Aubel. She founded a nonprofit group called the Grandmother Project in 2004 to help development organizations take elderly women into account.

In the Kolda region of southeastern Senegal, Aubel is using her expertise to help abolish female genital mutilation, also known as female genital mutilation. Her pilot project is co-financed by World Vision/Canada, a humanitarian charity, and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Experts estimate that the partial or total removal of external female genitalia affects 2 million to 3 million girls each year, mostly in Africa. Its most extreme form, infibulation, can result in organ damage, incontinence, infertility, prolonged labor and death.

Public awareness of the dangers of female genital mutilation and efforts to ban the practice have increased in recent years, with the United Nations declaring Feb. 6 International Day of Zero Tolerance of Female Genital Mutilation.

In Senegal, the Kolda region is ground zero in the campaign to end female genital mutilation. A demographic and health survey in 2005 found that 94 percent of women and girls had been mutilated there, compared to 28 percent nationwide. Although female genital mutilation was banned by the Senegalese government in 1999, older women were neither consulted nor necessarily convinced.Aubel's aim is to fix that. Taking time to persuade older women makes sense: They wield the blade and supervise the girls during the koyan(literally, "the test"), the traditional rite of passage practiced by the Halpular people.

In the village of Saré Kouna, about two dozen neat huts surrounded by pastures and peanut fields, a 60-year-old woman explained her peers' reluctance to renounce their traditions.

"The law scared people. We couldn't perform our rites openly — the village chief would have been jailed," said Hawa Baldé, her head framed by a spotless white scarf. "But our hearts had not abandoned circumcision. We did it secretly to very young girls. We didn't know if the act of mutilation had a physical virtue or not. It was a tradition."

In this tradition, young girls, ages 5 to 10 generally, were taken from their families, grouped in a hut, operated on without much regard for hygiene or pain, and then kept under the watch of elderly women for weeks while they recovered from their wounds. many died from the bleeding and infections; many others suffered painful complications later in life, particularly during childbirth.

In the nearby village of Kandia, Binta Sabaly, 51, remembers with terror the woman who cut her when she was 10.

"I would crouch low to the ground when I saw her from afar. I did not dare look at her in the eyes."

Sabaly is an assistant midwife who knows firsthand the complications caused by circumcision during labor. Yet she retains a sort of nostalgia for the difficult times she shared with about 30 other girls that year.

"We were sent to collect wood and peanuts. We learned how to prepare meals and how to salute older villagers with respect," she said. "We danced and sang, and learned to interpret the gestures of grandmothers without a spoken word."

"The koyan meant that authority existed. Girls came out of it with the idea of accepting and submitting to authority," echoed Baldé.

When Senegal banned female genital mutilation 10 years ago, the practice went underground, increasingly performed on girls too young to remember anything but the excruciating pain. This degradation of the rite took place against a background of rapid social change that further threatened village life.Economic migration, new roads and television brought foreign ideas to remote villages. Revealing clothes, rasta hairdos and postures copied from Mexican telenovelas started competing with traditional dress and decorum. Thousands of new classrooms, where lessons are taught in French, widened the gap between generations. By going off to school — instead of working at home and marrying young — teenage girls also became more exposed to the dangers of flirtation and pregnancy out of wedlock.

Since 2006, Aubel and her staff have coaxed elderly women in about 15 villages to reflect on their customs and traditions in the hope that they will reconsider harmful practices and revive beneficial ones.

In these villages, communal storytelling nights, traditional dances and singing are enjoying a comeback.

At a forum in Kandia in December 2009, men and women from two villages spent two days in a classroom sharing their views, breaking into small workshops, and bursting into song and dance to the beat of a drum. An imam reminded participants that a woman does not have to be circumcised to be a good Muslim. (The Koran does not condone female circumcision.) Sabaly, the assistant midwife, described the prolonged, painful labor of circumcised women.

"It's an approach based on respect and dialogue," said Aubel. "What I offer is an exchange. They can't refuse to share ideas when they feel they have so much to say."

For Baldé, a similar two-day forum in 2008 had a life-altering impact.

She came away convinced that values such as solidarity, respect and honor were not so outdated. Baldé promptly gathered all the inhabitants of Saré Kouna to announce the end of circumcision and was elected president of the local grandmothers.

Asked how she would educate 2-year-old Hawa Kandé sitting quietly on her lap, Baldé answered she would protect her from cutting, and teach her how to behave properly through traditional songs and tales.

"If she receives lessons both from school and her elders, she will be set for life."

Flore de Préneuf is a freelance journalist and photographer based in Washington, D.C.------------------------------- My thoughts this that what this Lady Judi Aubel, a tall 62-year-old Californian is doing a great job taking the steps of educating grandmothers about the dangers of FGM they were just doing it for tradition...not knowing the dangers girls were dying bleeding to death....but they thought it's just an accident...I see need of proper health education in our villages, And that is why I have started broadcasting videos in our Native languages to educate my people on the ground and that is where MASHUA VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS COMES IN...fighting FGM with integrity tough when need be but with great wisdom the only way to peace is PEACE! by LUCY MASHUA The Global Ambassador for fighting Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and standing up for Women’s Rights.

And the Chairperson of a worldwide campaign against FGM.

http://twitter.com/Mashua

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mashua-Against-FGM/225406701415

In Sar?Kouna, in southeastern Senegal, Hawa Bald?holds her grand-daughter Hawa Kand? 2. “We didn’t know if the act of mutilation had a physical virtue or not. It was a tradition.” She said that after mutilation was outlawed, it went underground.

Maadhimisho ya kukomesha UKEKETAJI duniani Feb 6, FEMALE GENITA MUTILATION (SWAHILI version)

Tukilichunguza tatizo hili kwa muhtasari tunaona kwamba tabia ya ukeketaji
imejengeka katika mila na imani za watu kufuatana na mazingira yao. Mila
na imani zinazohusiana na ukeketaji zina madhumuni au makusudi fulani
yanayotakiwa kufikiwa na jamii husika. Kwa mfano ukeketaji una
madhumuni yafuatayo:-
 Kumwondoa msichana kutoka rika la utoto na kuingia utu uzima.
Kumzuia msichana asiwe na tamaa ya kujamiiana na wanaume ovyo
ovyo.
 Mahari- wazazi wenye watoto waliokeketwa wanayo nafasi kubwa ya
kupata mahari kubwa kwa ajili ya watoto wao.
 Kuongeza raha ya mwanamume katika tendo la ndoa
 Kuondoa ugumba, magonjwa ya kizazi nuksi na mikosi, n.k.
 Kumtawala mwanamke (mfumo dume) na mengine yafanayo na hayo.
NAHII SIO HAKI !

Rape Saga Followup

KNUT teachers association defends their fellow RAPISTS ! Teachers raping children believing they will be treated from HIV! and infecting the kids this sucks!

GOD BLESS THE WOMEN OF THIS WORLD......By Lucy Mashua

Me and the International refugee choir shortly after the registration of Mashua Voice for the Voiceless Intl here in Dallas texas.... 2007 5th of July

• In the middle of the night I heard her pray so bitterly And so softly yeah...She prayed for her childrenShe prayed for their education,Then she prayed for the manThat left her with her children.We, praise heroes everyday,But there are those that we forget To praiseThe women of this world.They don't run from anythingThey stand and fight for what's right Oh oh oh...God bless the women Even when times are so hardThey are so cool, calm and collected.They don't run from anything,They stand and fight For what is right They do not run from responsibilitiesThey stand and fight for what Is right
• Women givers of life I salute you all and you deserve a safe world for you..Happy Womens Day because every day is WOMENS DAY
• Assisting refugees in the US and representation in advocasy
  The Global Ambassador for fighting Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and standing up for Women’s Rights.
  And the Chairperson of a worldwide campaign against FGM.
  http://twitter.com/Mashua
  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mashua-Against-FGM/225406701415
  
  
  
  

First Lady angered by rape in schools in Kenya..girls escape FGM only to be raped by teachers!

First Lady Lucy Kibaki on Sunday criticised the national teachers’ union over its inaction in disciplining rogue members involved in rape.

A brief from State House Nairobi said the First Lady was saddened that the Kenya National Union of Teachers remained quiet while teachers went about raping pupils.

Some of these teachers who are raping our girls know that they are infected with HIV/Aids and think that they can be cured by engaging in reckless sex with minors,” said Mrs Kibaki.

“I am extremely concerned that in this day and age the teachers’ body has not found it necessary to condemn some of their members who have been found to engage in this vice.”

But Knut secretary-general Lawrence Majali told the Nation that it was not the work of Knut to discipline errant teachers.

Mr Majali said that was the responsibility of the Teachers Service Commission, the government agency which employs teachers.

He denied that Knut had been silent about rape by teachers.

“We adhere to professional ethics and have always admonished all errant members in our meetings...Knut has not been silent,” said Mr Majali.

The First Lady attributed the rise in rape cases to inadequate laws to address sexual offences.

She appealed to MPs to come up with more punitive penalties for rapists.

Mrs Kibaki also added her voice to the public furore that followed the recent release pending appeal of former Java boss Jon Cardon Wagner.

Sexual offenders

“How can somebody who is a proven rapist be released back to society? Even 20 years is not enough of a sentence. These sexual offenders deserve life imprisonment,” she said.

Her statement echoed that of Ms Njoki Ndung’u, a lawyer and architect of the Sexual Offences Act, who said she had written to the Attorney General questioning Wagner’s release.

“The spirit of the Sexual Offences Act is to protect and deliver justice to victims, not to facilitate offenders,” said Ms Ndung’u, a former nominated MP, as soon as Wagner was released from prison pending appeal.

My thoughts this teachers should be fired then jailed for life! how can 50 -60-3- rape 10 years old ,8 yrs old and just continue as if nothing happened? I am angry.... this girls endures so much FGM, early marriage and Rape from people trusted to protect them? Schools are supposed to be a safe environment but that is not the case in KENYA, Chiefs government officials and public servants RAPE young girls am yet to see a prosecution! during the post election violence in Kenya women and babies were raped by POLICE while other children watch! and this RAPIST haters of Women are scot free! watch this videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnLgGhxxVis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPvLQnBrcA4

During the chaos, women and even children were targeted for rape and sexual assault in the country's slums, refugee camps and even in schools.

In African culture you are not supposed to talk about rape when you are raped or when you undergo FGM....you will be an out cast! how sick!

Assisting refugees in the US and representation in advocasy

The Global Ambassador for fighting Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and standing up for Women’s Rights.

And the Chairperson of a worldwide campaign against FGM.

http://twitter.com/Mashua

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mashua-Against-FGM/225406701415

Girl dies, but the female Genital Mutilation lives on:(

It is a classic case of the law finding itself caught between modernity and tradition. A Wajir woman has been arrested and is awaiting arraignment in court after her daughter died in a female circumcision gone wrong.

Also in court is a traditional female circumciser who presided over the botched operation. The two cannot be named for legal reasons, but in Wajir, local clan elders and religious leaders are up in arms over the arrests.

They say it was just an accident, and do not see why anyone should face charges of murder or manslaughter in a case they say should be handled traditionally by elders.

Week in custody

After more than a week in custody at the Wajir Police Station, the mother is yet to come to terms with the double tragedy — the death of her seven-year-old daughter and the prospect of spending time in jail.

“This is just God’s case, and it has no appeal,” relative who identified himself as Abdi told the Nation. “No parent would like to cause death of her own child.

“This is like an accident. Clan elders can settle the issue,” Abdi said, echoing other family members who want the women released.

The case has now generated controversy in Wajir. Police insist the two caused the death of the girl and must face the law. But elders and religious leaders say the arrests are unfair and an affront to local cultural and Islamic sensibilities.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is widely practised in the Somali community, with more than 97 per cent of girls going through the ritual.crime

Local and international pressure groups have long campaigned for an end to the practice, which is also common in some other communities in Kenya including Central, Eastern, Nyanza and Rift Valley provinces.

During the current school holidays, hundreds of girls have gone through the ritual in North Eastern Province, despite the spirited campaigns by the government and activist groups against the rite of passage.

In much of North Eastern, anti-FGM campaigners have faced hostility and accusations of trying to kill age-old cultural practices.

One of the most prominent local campaigners against the practice is nominated councillor Rukia Abdille. “It is a second degree felony that needs to be eradicated,” she said firmly.

But 46-year-old Mrs Abdow Ahmed retorts: “They are telling us to stop mutilating our girls; where on earth are we heading to? we were mutilated too! Do they want our girls to run mad?”

Many women in Wajir, even the educated, embrace FGM. “It is something every girl in our community should pass through. It is a way of preserving our womanhood, which it's only purpose is to satisfy our husbands we bare children and that is our work!” Said Mrs Alasa Hussein, a 39-year-old mother.

And anti-FGM campaigners acknowledge they are making little headway in the conservative community.

“We are facing an angry backlash from the community who believe that we are coming with a foreign ideology,” said Ms Ardo Mohamed, Wajir district anti-FGM and gender coordinator.

“When we are talking about the thorny issue of FGM, women herders know we — women campaigners — have been Mutilated too. Why do we have to preach now, they wonder?”

Even religious leaders strongly resist any move to eradicate girl circumcision. “We are doing what is called for by our religion,” says Wajir branch Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (Supkem) chairman Sheikh Abdullahi Ubied. “This is Islamic culture and it is part of our religion”.(so sick shame on you)

The Supkem official, however, advocates that infibulation, the most extreme form of female genital mutilation practiced in the region, should be avoided if possible.

The rite is, however, not practised by all Muslims, and according to some scholars, seems to have cultural rather than Islamic roots.

The death of the young girl seems not to have moved locals to abandon the female mutilation. And neither has the arrest of her mother and the “surgeon” shaken their belief in the rite of passage.

My thoughts...it is so sick that mothers because they were mutilated to do that to their babies! I don't understand how I can subject my child through this castration just because I was mutilated, and that women believe their womanhood means to be mutilated and satisfy a man and bare children! this is manupilation of the highest order from a man and from the religion....committing a crime in the name of religion...which kind of god that allows murder,abuse in his/her/whatever name? this should be stopped now ASAP! and all this religion excuse is all men ways to control women!

Ambassador Lucy .s .Mashua President of Mashua's voice for the voiceless International

Assisting refugees in the US and representation in advocasy

The Global Ambassador for fighting Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and standing up for Women’s Rights.

And the Chairperson of a worldwide campaign against FGM.

http://twitter.com/Mashua

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mashua-Against-FGM/225406701415

Man commits suicide over daughter’s ‘FGM' he was worried about the Costs:(

He was worried about the costs of FGM ceremony...and not as FGM is a crime.....how sad :(

On December 20th 2009 A 55-year-old man has committed suicide after his underage daughter was circumcised against his wish.

Mr Joseph Kibiwot Chumwar used a rope to hang himself in Endo Kapen Location in Marakwet East District.

Area chief William Suter said the body of the man was found dangling from a tree. There was no suicide note.

Teach lesson

Grief-stricken relatives said that Mr Chumwar had threatened to take unspecified action to teach a lesson to the people who forcefully circumcised his 12-year-old daughter.

“No one suspected that he was going to hang himself when he took a rope and headed for the animals’ pen,” his brother told the Nation.

The father of seven was against the circumcision of his children and had given his reasons to elders. He told them that he did not have enough animals and coupled with this year’s poor harvest, there was hardly enough to from which to host the ceremony and feed his family.

Rite’s costs

Mr Chumwar is also said to have told the elders that with three children in secondary school, he could not afford the costs of the rite.

But his daughter, who sat this year’s KCPE exams, was allegedly accosted and circumcised, on instructions of the elders.

Mr Chumwar is said to have sent the 12-year-old’s elder sister to visit relatives so that she could escape the ‘cut’.

Relatives have started burial arrangements.

My thoughts to bad his protest was not because he believed that FGM was a crime to his daughter but so it as an expense and he could not afford...may his poor soul rest in peace.

to those elders This elders need to be arrested ASAP and charged for assault and More than that. That is a serious violation of the 12yr olds constitutional rights which outweigh this old outdated customs which is a crime! FEMALE CASTRATION!

Get all those elders and anybody concerned and charge them in court accordingly. No one should be spared. We wait to read something done about this matter so others in future will be warned!

Ambassador Lucy .s .Mashua President of Mashua's voice for the voiceless International

Assisting refugees in the US and representation in advocasy

The Global Ambassador for fighting Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and standing up for Women’s Rights.

And the Chairperson of a worldwide campaign against FGM.

http://twitter.com/Mashua

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mashua-Against-FGM/225406701415