Finnish journalist and photographer Meeri Koutaniemi’s subject is female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as female genital cutting or female circumcision, a ritual practice observed in various parts of the world for non-medical purposes. It involves the removal of some or all of the external female genitalia. An estimated 200 million women and girls around the world have undergone the procedure.
The causes of female genital mutilation include a mix of cultural, religious and social factors within families and communities. In certain communities, it is a rite of passage symbolizing a girl’s readiness for marriage. The tradition stems from the belief that woman’s sexual organs are considered to be impure. FGM is often motivated by beliefs by what is considered proper sexual behavior, linking procedures to premarital virginity and marital fidelity. It is thought to bring honor, beauty, purity and health. Many parents believe that FGM is beneficial to a girl’s upbringing.
Female genital cutting has been widely judged as a procedure against human rights and as a serious violation against women’s sexual independence. It reflects deep-rooted inequality between the sexes, and constitutes an extreme form of discrimination against women. Due to population growth, however, the total number of women subjected to FGM threatens to grow. The UN is campaigning to have the practice outlawed worldwide. An important role in this movement is played by local grassroots activists who raise awareness of the dangers of FGM and pressure politicians to amend laws. Girls’ circumcision has been illegal in Kenya since 2001, but among some tribes such as the Masai people, it is still a valued tradition.
Fotoistanbul
September 30 to October 22, 2017
Istanbul, Turkey
