Mutilation ceremonies seen as cultural barrier

Awareness and concern about female-genital mutilation cases was raised in an informal presentation on Wednesday in the Multicultural Center at Cal State Long Beach.

The Wednesday presentation was sponsored by CSULB's Center for International Education.

In an open-discussion forum, social worker and Professor Elizabeth T. Ortiz, while addressing a small group of CSULB professors in order to raise awareness on this issue, said she hopes that education will cause the elimination of this surgical procedure on the female body.

"The U.S. is in complete denial," Ortiz said. "Research shows that American doctors, who examine women (from other countries) with this condition, are left confused on what to do."

The mutilation of women is overlooked by many doctors, due to the procedure's cultural and religious basis, Ortiz said.

"It is not our place to change someone else's culture," said Yoko Pusavat, associate professor of Asian and Asian-American studies.

However, Pusavat said she agrees with Ortiz that awareness should be brought about to aid those women who have gone through this procedure and are now living in the United States.

There are three forms of female genital mutilation: Circumcision, excision and infibulation. Infibulation is the most severe form because it involves the removal of the clitoris, the inner and outer lips of the vagina, and the stitching of the two remaining sides together. A small hole is left for the passage of blood and urine only.

Most countries in Africa and Asia practice this for purity reasons and to control the female's sexuality. The results are health problems, including bladder infections, urinary kidney problems and infertility.

The fact that young girls in other countries, before reaching the age of ten, are being "circumcised" has international social workers concerned about how to deal with this custom.

The World Health Organization called female genital mutilation the most harmful traditional health practice. An estimated 80 to 100 million women have had this procedure performed.

Female genital mutilation is an issue that questions cultural beliefs that are foreign to many Americans. Awareness and education is necessary in understanding and solving this issue that affects women worldwide.