Jaha Dukureh wants to end female genital mutilation (FGM) in The Gambia. She recently launched a controversial youth movement aimed at raising awareness about the harmful practice and its serious consequences.
In an article published in theguardian (USA), Jaha vowed that her daughter will never be cut. She disclosed that as a baby, she had been subjected to FGM. Her clitoris was cut off and her vagina sealed.
Despite the harm FGM causes, many Gambians consider it to be normal. It is believed to be a way of ensuring virginity and chastity.
Jaha’s father does not condemn her campaign, according to theguardian, but he repeatedly reminds her to be respectful of her culture and religion.
The 24-year-old moved to the USA at the age of 15 after being married off to a man more than twice her age. She was taken to a clinic in Manhattan to have her vagina opened.
According to Jaha, the doctor told her: “Have sex tonight, or it will seal up again.”
She didn’t stay long in that marriage. At 17, she got married again to another Gambian living in the USA. Jaha is now mother to two children, Muhammed and Khadija.
During her recent visit in The Gambia, the US-based campaigner confronted the elderly woman, who performed FGM on her. Jaha told theguardian: “If I speak to her in a way that she thinks is disrespectful, then my message is blocked. She’s never going to listen to me – I’m just a person with western ideology.”
Source: theguardian,com