today, in class, we talked about fgm, why it's done, what it's effects are, and how prevalent it is still even in our world today. and, really, what are the underlying implications of these practices.

in alice walker's novel, there was a man who did the circumcision on m'lissa. this is the representation that men are actually the ones who want this barbaric practice practiced. it's them who interpret the qur'an, and it's them who make up the rules, standards, and rituals that the women, in turn will follow.

in desert flower, waris dirie stated her story. how she was a young girl, barely five years old when she became a woman, when she understood what it meant to be a woman - a woman that of africa. she said that god had created her perfect, but men robbed her. they took her womanhood. they took away her essence. in africa, it is believed that what is between a girl's legs is evil, having a daughter was evil, and, therefore, what was between the legs should be cut off. and it is. and the girl is sewn tight - only to be opened up but her husband who will force himself on her. she will then be used for the pleasure of that man. when she gives birth, she is sewn back together so as to stay tight for her husband. ing .

the only thing i can say is that i am thankful that i am a filipino and in my country, this is not widely practiced. but i don't know if it really isn't practiced at all. because many tribe in africa and in other countries in asia still practice this. this is the reason why waris dirie's fight against fgm continues to this day.