Hi Aileen,
Education regarding the dangers of FGM *is* improving and widening in its scope. Much of this is thanks to a number of feminist and more general charities working in the African regions, but it's very slow going.
Thousands of young girls are still mutilated every day for various reasons - among them the expectations of men that their bride will be 'normal' (as in, cut and therefore conforming to the old societal norms). Superstition warns that a woman who is 'whole' is highly likely to be unfaithful to her husband, as she is able to experience pleasure from sex. At the same time, tradition says that the man will get MORE pleasure from sex with a 'purified' woman. Another form of pressure comes from the expectations of their mothers who fear their daughter will be unmarriageable without the procedure and also want their girl to be 'just like them'. Rumours say that the genitalia of an unharmed woman will be disgusting to look at, smelly and unhygienic. Ironically, in many areas it's even believed that the practice INCREASES fertility. Then of course there are the economic reasons. The bands of excisors - women who perform the procedures - make their living from the mutilations, and it's hence in their best interests to preserve the traditions, stigma and superstition which surround the practice.
It's a very difficult and complex issue and warrants a similarly complex approach, but I'm optimistic about the future. Change IS happening....just more slowly than you or I would like. But we can hope. :-) I think part of the problem is in finding another, more acceptable form of womanhood initiation which is still in keeping with the relevant cultural and tribal traditions. Far easier said than done!
In the meantime, I think films like this really help to get the point across. I enjoyed Moolaade for a good number of reasons, only one of which was its ability to illustrate the devastating effects of FGM on the women whose lives it touches.
Peace,
Gill x
P.S. Oh dear. Sorry for the horribly long post, but I've worked for some time in women's charities and this is something that often gets talked about!
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