Cut Off: A True-Life FGM Story

by Sylvia Chioma

Aduke, a young Nigerian wife, is under extreme pressure from her mother and her husband, Kunle, to undergo Female Genital Mutilation because she has not yet conceived and they assure her it will enable her in their superstitious minds to become pregnant. She argues desperately against it, having heard that it is dangerous, but in the end, she is persuaded and then drugged while the operation is carried out. She is horrified to see that rusty knife the woman is using is the same one she had dreamed about in a nightmare in the first chapter. She suffers catastrophic loss of blood and almost dies. She is saved by the intervention of a doctor who lectures her mother and husband on the appalling risks of FGM. While she is being treated, they discover she is pregnant anyway so FGM was not needed.

The rest of the book is an account of FGM and the campaign against it and uses the story as an illustration of the wickedness, barbarity and superstition of FGM.

The barbaric and dangerous practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in childhood or early womanhood is the scourge of the women of many African and Middle Eastern countries, because of an ancient, misguided belief that cutting away the clitoral area increases fertility, eases childbirth and reduces promiscuity and increases pleasure for men.

This book combines a harrowing true account of one woman’s near-fatal experience of FGM in Nigeria with information designed to provide enlightenment on this abhorrent practice and why it should be stamped out in all the countries of the world where it is still practised.

Published with the support and backing of key and influential women from several countries.

What women say about Cut off ‘’A few years ago, many women, even some educated ones, saw female genital mutilation as a normal and socially acceptable practise without understanding the devastating consequences but the story is changing fast, as awareness is getting mileage and rural women are now campaigning against it’’ Mrs Bolanle Ambode (First Lady Lagos State)

90 pages, Paperback

Published August 25, 2021

Reviews

[Sheena Grant]

Upon reading the preview of this book I am the least bit shocked this happened though I find it rather sad, people first and foremost should understand and acknowledge that what's known as FGM is a hate crime designed to further promote the oppression and enslavement of women or those of the female sex. How this hate crime came into existence is beyond me but it most certainly was taught as were other acts of oppression people have partaken in, religion has played a part teaching people of both sexes rather distorted and ridiculous beliefs to have about female individuals and practically all religions both teach and promote female inferiority. Most people operate off of what they're taught and what they believe which is where the issue lies and has always lied, in what somebody believes. The "practice" of FGM will only cease under the circumstance that there is no longer a need to oppress female individuals and simply on the basis of being female, mind you. The need for oppressing female individuals was also taught, coming from somebody who's black in creed and of the female sex. Sincerely.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

The practice of Femsle Genital Mutilation or FGM is simply put, horrific and barbaric. The fact that it is practiced on millions on women is unthinkable. It would be the equivalent of cutting off a man's genitals entirely without anesthesia and then menstruating and giving birth through the same area again and again. If this happened to a single man, it would be a human rights issue but although this happens to millions of women, it's considered okay since it is "tradition". Patriarchy is well and truly alive where this happens.

The book tells about a woman's real life experiences with this barbaric practice and also provides insight into a lot of information of why and how this occurs. It's written well and engagingly and I appreciate the the work the author is doing through her "Girdle" non-profit for FGM. I highly recommend this book. It's a must-read!