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Dear JOhn,

FGM is global. In researching our upcoming report on the global nature of FGM, I’ve listened to the experiences of women and girls being cut from many different communities, countries, and backgrounds.

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I’ve spoken to Jennifer from a mid-western, conservative, Christian home in the United States who underwent FGM when she was five years old.

It is important for people to understand just because so few Americans have spoken up, it does not mean it is not happening here. There is such a silence that surrounds this practice, that until we are talking about it more, we are never going to know how many girls in the US have been affected. We have to remove the shame, make it a subject safe to talk about.

I’ve heard from Mubaraka in India where, in her community, the topic is so taboo that she did not fully understand the incident until her later years.

I was tricked into thinking that I’ll be getting chocolate. Instead, I was taken to a shady-looking dimly lit house, where a lady was waiting for me and my grandmother. The lady asked me to lie down and spread my legs, which was an extremely strange thing for me to do. Finally, I was given the promised chocolate and taken back home to forget the day’s event completely.

My conversations with these inspiring survivors and activists left me with a feeling of hope. For instance, Aisha* from Singapore breaking her family’s tradition by choosing to not have her baby girl cut, and urging other women to do the same.

I’m sad it was done to me. I will never let it happen to my offspring.

When we educate women, we educate the entire nation. Women have to choose wisely what is right and wrong. Don’t succumb to social pressure – just because everyone is doing it, doesn’t make it right.

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This year for Zero Tolerance Day to End FGM, we are calling on you to join our global movement to end FGM. Girls like Jennifer, Mubaraka and Aisha should not have to grow up in a world where they are at risk of being cut. 

A donation to Equality Now <[link removed]> will support our work to negotiate strong anti-FGM laws that prevent the practice, ensure these laws are implemented and call for zero tolerance globally.

In solidarity,

Divya Srinivasan, 

Human Rights Lawyer - South Asia

*Name has been changed.

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