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Female Mutilation: The truth behind the horrifying global practice of female genital mutilation (New Holland Publishers, March 2016)

March 1, 2017
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Just one year ago today my second book on female genital mutilation (FGM) was published. Female Mutilation: The truth behind the horrifying global practice of female genital mutilation offers more than 70 case studies from people in two dozen countries across five continents. Some narrators are FGM survivors, some community activists, and some professionals who bring a particular focus on FGM to their work in medicine, law, education, journalism etc. Their stories differ widely, but all share a determination to make FGM history.

Details of the book and a number of reader reviews follow below:

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Female Mutilation (New Holland Publishers, 2016)

CONTENTS

[The weblinks for each of chapters 3 – 9 take you to the names and contact details of contributors from that geographical area.]

*Preface (Dr Morissanda Kouyaté)
*Acknowledgements

Chapter 1: Introduction – FGM is Everyone’s Business  [See also publisher’s Preview]

Chapter 2: What is Female Genital Mutilation?  [See also publisher’s Preview]

Chapter 3: Kenya

Chapter 4: Sub-Saharan and Southern Africa

– Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Somalia, Uganda, Malawi

Chapter 5: Egypt, the Middle-East and South-East Asia

– Egypt, Yemen, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia

Chapter 6: Australia

Chapter 7: North America

–  Canada and the United States

Chapter 8: Continental Europe

– Norway, France, Germany, Italy

Chapter 9: The United Kingdom

Chapter 10: What Next?

*Index of Contributors
*Appendix: The Questionnaire (located on Female Mutilation Worldwide website)

Female Mutilation: The truth behind the horrifying global practice of female genital mutilation (New Holland Publishers, 2016) is available from the publishers, from the Guardian bookshop, fromAmazon.co.uk / Amazon.com, or from high street booksellers.

The book can be previewed on the publisher’s website  HERE.

Reviews of the book follow below…

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Hilary’s first book Eradicating Female Genital Mutilation: A UK Perspective was launched on 4 November 2015 at The Guardian offices in London (introductory talk here) and six months later, on 10 May 2016, both her books on FGM (see below) were presented at a reception hosted by the Norwegian Embassy for the Inter-African Committee FGM Conference at the United Nations in Geneva.
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In October 2016 Hilary was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation at a Washington DC, USA Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation event, for her two books: Eradicating Female Genital Mutilation: A UK Perspective (2015) and Female Mutilation: The truth behind the horrifying global practice of female genital mutilation (2016).
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REVIEWS of FEMALE MUTILATION

“This book is most welcome. Each page …. rings the bell of the rebellion against female genital mutlaton.” Dr. Morissanda Kouyaté, Executve Director of the Inter-African Committee

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“The Masterpiece on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
There are incredible, painful, personal accounts from women around the world who underwent the horrific practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) and it’s about time their voices are heard. Many people incorrectly believe that FGM is solely practiced in Africa. It’s not. It’s practiced in many other countries – Pakistan, India, Yemen, Indonesia, Malaysia, Iraq, Iran – to name a few. To date, 200 MILLION girls and women have been subjected to this cruel, violent, human rights violation and millions more around the world, including the United States, Canada, Europe, and the UK are at risk! Thank you, Hilary Burrage, for writing this book. The conversation must continue. Anti-FGM activists and organizations around the world (their stories and work are included in this book) are bravely campaigning and working to end this vice that no longer has a place in society. Women and men who really want to know the true facts about FGM must get this book.”  Sayydah Garrett, Pastoralist Child Foundation  (Amazon *****)
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“An Eye Opening Book from the expert on FGM 
Hilary Burrage is an expert on the issue of female genital mutilation. This is a must read for everyone. It is an eye opening commentary on this most barbaric of practices. I salute Hilary for all of her hard work to bring FGM to an end.”  Karen Lambie  (Amazon *****)
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“… In contrast to [Hilary Burrage’s] first book, which explored cultures and beliefs from the author’s perspective, this book is a commentary on others’ views….. While the commentaries from victims are emotional and thought-provoking, the most memorable are from male authors who acknowledge that if we are ever going to achieve sustainable results … men must be fully engaged….  
[Also] many [contributors] raise the issue of campaigners being gagged by those in power.
The book is in a readable style and its contents are appropriate … for those in primary, community care as well as gynaecology, sexual health and maternity.”  Sonia Hall, practice manager, London [extracts from review in Primary Health Care, Nov. 2016]
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 “The networking here is remarkable and inspiring. I’ve been writing about our foremothers in the German anti-FGM movement including Dr. Herta Hass (1907-2007), and Fran Hosken (1920 -2006) for whom networking was the alpha and omega BEFORE the internet. Remarkable accomplishments (despite Fran’s porcupine quills striking potential allies) … Thanks for your honoring the tradition and carrying it on…”  Dr Tobe Levin, Harvard and Oxford Universities and owner, UnCut/Voices Press

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SEE ALSO ….   Eradicating Female Genital Mutilation: A UK Perspective (Hilary Burrage, Ashgate / Routledge 2015).   Contents and reviews  here.

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FURTHER INFORMATION AND ACTION

There is a free FGM hotline for anyone in the UK: 0800 028 3550, or email:fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk

Details of NHS Specialist Services for FGM here.

**  Read many more posts on diverse aspects of FGM  here. **

Activists, service providers and researchers may like to join the LinkedIn group Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): Information, reports and research, which has several hundred members from around the world.

The (free) #NoFGM Daily News carries reports of all items about FGM shared on Twitter that day – brings many organisations and developments into focus.

Also available to follow at no cost or obligation is the #NoFGM_USA Daily News.

Twitter accounts:          @NoFGM_UK  @NoFGMBookUK @FemaleMutlnBook  @FGMStatement  @NoFGM_USA @NoFGM_Kenya  @NoFGM_France  @GuardianEndFGM [tag for all: #NoFGM] and @StopMGM.

Facebook page: #NoFGM – a crime against humanity

Email contact: via Hilary

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Books by Hilary Burrage on female genital mutilation
For detailed discussion of female genital mutilation please see my textbook, which considers the situation globally, but also explores the issues relating specifically to Western nations:  Eradicating Female Genital Mutilation: A UK Perspective (Ashgate/Routledge, 2015). My second book, Female Mutilation: The truth behind the horrifying global practice of female genital mutilation (New Holland Publishers, 2016), contains narrative ‘stories’ (case studies) from about seventy people across five continents who have experienced FGM, either as survivors and/or as campaigners and activists against this harmful traditional practice.

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[NB The Inter-African Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children, which has a primary focus on FGM, is clear that in formal discourse any term other than ‘mutilation’ concedes damagingly to the cultural relativists – though the terms employed may of necessity vary in informal discussion with those who by tradition use alternative vocabulary. See the Feminist Statement on the Naming and Abolition of Female Genital Mutilation,  The Bamako Declaration: Female Genital Mutilation Terminology and the debate about Anthr/Apologists on this website.]

PLEASE NOTE:

This article concerns approaches to the eradication specifically of FGM.  I am also categorically opposed to MGM, but that is not the focus of this particular piece.

Anyone wishing to offer additional comment on more general considerations around infant and juvenile genital mutilation is asked please to do so on the relevant dedicated thread, originally developed in June 2012:

The Other FGM Debate: Is Male Circumcision (MGM) Also Child Abuse?

Pending further notice, discussion of the general issues re M/FGM will not be published unless they are posted on this dedicated page. Thanks.

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from → End FGM, Hilary's Books
2 Comments leave one →
  1. uncutvoices permalink
    April 16, 2017 11:46

    The networking here is remarkable and inspiring. I’ve been writing about our foremothers in the German anti-FGM movement including Dr. Herta Hass (1907-2007), and Fran Hosken (1920 -2006) for whom networking was the alpha and omega BEFORE the internet. Remarkable accomplishments (despite Fran’s porcupine quills striking potential allies) … Thanks for your honoring the tradition and carrying it on…

    Reply
  2. Hilary Burrage permalink
    April 16, 2017 12:41

    Thank you so much Tobe! I will add this also above; it’s very much appreciated.

    Reply

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