Female genital mutilation (FGM), also referred to as female circumcision, is a common practice in Africa, as well as in some Middle Eastern and Asian regions. The procedure involves severing a girl’s clitoris, which is both painful and hazardous to her health. Removing her primary source of sexual stimulation, often against her will, is thought to preserve her virginity and make her more suitable for marriage. [1]

“‘Female circumcision is a traditional practice that dates back hundreds of years in many African countries,’ explains Elizabeth Mwangi, justice and peacebuilding officer for Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in Kenya. ‘Some Kenyan communities are now recognizing the human rights and health issues involved and are taking measures to end the practice. At the same time, they want to retain the important rite of passage and cultural education that are also part of the ritual.’” [2]

The UN reports that over 91 million girls and women have already been circumcised, with roughly three million African girls at risk of circumcision annually. Consequences of the procedure include bleeding, infection, higher rates of infant mortality, physical and emotional trauma, sterility, and death. [1]

The short documentary below outlines the basic problem, as experienced by Egyptian women. Resistance to FGM continues to grow as more rural communities are educated about the risks.

Local and international movements alike have already initiated change. In February of 2003, the First Lady of Nigeria, Stella Obasanjo, called for “Zero Tolerance to FGM” in Africa. This prompted the UN to officially name February 6th the International Day of Zero Tolerance to FGM, and ceremonies marking this day occur around the globe. [3]

In 2007, The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) launched a $44 million campaign to reduce the practice by 40% in 16 African countries by 2015. The Norwegian government was the first major contributor to the campaign, donating $3.5 million to the cause. [4] Activist groups like CRS and End FGM Kenya also educate civilians and raise awareness internationally, in an effort to encourage women to not participate in the tradition. [5]

This decade has seen marked progress in the campaign to end female circumcision. Most recently, in December of 2009, Uganda officially banned it. Now, anyone in the country convicted of the practice “will face 10 years in jail, or a life sentence if the victim dies.” [1] Hopefully, as the resistance movement continues to grow, more nations will follow suit and take formal actions to eliminate FGM altogether.

Sources:

[1] “Uganda Bans Female Genital Mutiliation” BBC News Online. December 10, 2009

[2] “Saying ‘No’ to ‘The Cut’ in Kenya.” (Debbie DeVoe) Catholic Relief Services Online

[3] “Commemorating International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation.” (Charlotte Feldman-Jacobs) Population Reference Bureau. February 2009

[4] “FGM News: ‘UNFPA, UNICEF Step Up Efforts to End Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting.” Campaign to End FGM in Kenya. September 8, 2007

[5] End FGM Kenya

TIME Magazine’s October 26th issue featured a special report entitled “The State of the American Woman.” Their new poll suggests the gender gap is closing, especially in the workplace. “In the fallout of the Great Recession,” writes Nancy Gibbs, “what unites men and women matters more than what divides them, as old gender battles fade away.”

America’s sharp economic downturn this year hit men harder than women, and “it’s expected that by the end of the year, for the first time in history, the majority of workers in the U.S. will be women.” TIME’s survey of roughly 3,500 adults (see poll details here) found that “men and women were in broad agreement about what matters most to them; gone is the notion that women’s rise comes at men’s expense.”

Below are some results from their latest poll, occasionally contrasted with data from the early 1970’s. The visual charts and graphs were assembled by Andrea Ford and Deirdre Van Dyk. (Click on images to see a larger view)

Accepting New Gender Roles

“Large majorities, across ages and incomes and ideologies, view women’s growing role in the work force as good for both the economy and society in general. … 84% [of those polled] affirm that husbands and wives negotiate the rules, relationships and responsibilities more than those of earlier generations.” Marriages and partnerships are predominately happy, which can likely be attributed to equality between partners.

Women in the Workplace, Government & Military

More Power Means More Stress

Marriage & Motherhood

Gaps Still Exist

Women might be working against themselves, perhaps prolonging the gender gap in some circumstances:

Why might women have more trouble working under female bosses than men do?

More women feel resented than men feel resentful. Do women feel insecure wielding power in the workplace?

Sharing the Fight for Equality

The commonalities between men and women vastly outweigh the differences, and it’s evident the women’s rights movement has accomplished a lot since the 1970’s. As Gibbs reports, “It’s as though sensible people are too busy to bother bickering about who takes out the garbage or who deserves the corner office; many of the deepest conflicts are now new ones that men and women share.”

Source:

Gibbs, Nancy, with Andrea Ford and Deirdre Van Dyk. “The State of the American Woman: What Women Want Now.” TIME Magazine. 26 October 2009: 25-33

Listed below are some frequently searched terms, with gender stereotypes and sexist phrases underlined in red. This doesn’t mean that the search engine itself is prejudiced, it just serves as a reflection of the sexism still prevalent in our society.

So, women can be either nice or successful, but never both?
Note: “Nice Girls Finish Fat” is a book title

Does that mean husbands can’t be good advisors?

Where did this chair obsession come from?

Note: “Women Fly When Men Aren’t Watching” is a book title.