Indonesia passed a law back in April barring female circumcision. In typical fashion, they didn’t tell anyone, about the new law. Yesterday it was announced to the medical community. Female circumcision is very popular in Muslim parts of the country, such as Semarang, where Ika is from.
Talking with Indonesia women who have had the proceedure, they seem quite positive about it, so maybe there is room for discussion. Often these things get labeled as torture / mutilation / etc.
Medical staff were told they are not allowed to perform the traditional proceedure any more, but there would be no punishment for those who do (yes folks, this is Indonesia).
Ika showed me album photos, of her younger brother getting circumcised when he was about 12. All the relatives were outside the clinic, smiling and laughing, and inside they showed the brother, laying on the bed, about to bid adios to his little man (or part of it). Its all a party when someone gets cut over here.
Female circumcision is a sticky issue and needs further looking into.
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{ 2 comments }
I can certainly understand and share feelings of spirituality. But one of the things which puts me off organised religion is the strange assortment of rules which have nothing to do with the basic “treat others as you wish to be treated yourself”.
And some of the hang-ups associated with human sexuality are almost unbelievable. After all, what’s the problem with women being able to enjoy sex? To me, the male equivalent of female genital mutilation would have to be castration.
Do you think is going to be different for Jevon? Better get him mentally prepared so he is ready to bid adios to part of ‘his little man’ when he hits 12. Guess you are going to be part of those smiling and laughing crowd this time???
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