Mr Conteh

I am totally against Female Circumcision, but I concur with you about the
approach that people should take when it comes to dealing with this
sensitive issue.

Calling Female Circumcision 'FGM' is a wrong term and full of sarcasm.  FGM
is a misnomer used by the West to make a mockery of our culture and
tradition.

Awa.


>
>The approach to female circumcision must be
>clearly defined.  Those in lead must realize that
>the problem can only go away if they approach our
>elders in a proper way.  Condemnation will not
>solve the problem.  I ask, why not lobby the
>legislature and the executive to ban female
>circumcision?  I bet those politicians will be
>scared as hell because they may be booted out of
>office.  What other way do you have
>to stop this act?  I suggest that we sit and
>talk to our parents and make it a priority to
>discuss with them that female circumcision is
>not in the Koran.
>
>
>The use of "FGM" in reality sounds negative in
>either tribal interpretation.  I understand clearly
>that the victims will loudly say to the affirmative
>that they were mutilated, but I beg to differ that
>a kinder and gentler approach in the name of
>diplomacy will heal the wound.  Please let is
>understand anthropology and sociology in getting
>our message across.  May I suggest that we read
>Ms. Hernlund's book?
>
>Naphiyo,
>
>Comrade ML Jassey-Conteh
>
>
>
>------Original Message------
>From: [log in to unmask]
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Sent: March 29, 2001 4:52:52 PM GMT
>Subject: Re: book(YLVA)
>
>
>Hello Ylva,
>I have always and will continue be an ardent opponent of FGM.
>Personally, I want to thank you and congratulate you for your grandiose
>efforts to fight this barbaric practice. YOU ROCKS!
>One thing is clear reading the exchanges on the list is that
>Gambians
>share a different paradigm when it comes to its application and
>contradictions.
>When educated people want to quantify the benefits of an openly proven
>theory
>that FGM has no medical significant to the millions of victims of this
>dehumanizing
>practice, it makes me wonder if it is the results of the research they are
>worried about or the fear of shifting paradigms.
>I have ordered your book to help support the brave cause you and
>your colleagues are doing to help end this form of abuse to particularly,
>young women who are the victims of this practice. If people like Mr. Conteh
>disagrees with the tools and methodologies used in your research, I advice
>him to conduct his own studies and brief us with his results.
>Finally, please continue your qualitative approach to this issue. I
>will send you my thoughts about the book once I read it.
>
>GO GIRL,
>Sincerely,
>Matarr Sajaw
>
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