My First Trip Abroad: Gender Injustices in Somali

Introduction

The term political subject refers to the understanding of key fundamental foundations of the way the world is which occurs due to a person’s experience (Ebel, 2016). My first trip abroad to my home country Somalia was a contrast from my privileged life in the UK, ironically being in my own country made me feel like an outsider, due to our opposing views on the mistreatment of women, which evoked a range of emotions from sadness to anger from me. FGM (female genital mutilation) is a cultural practice that is common and prevalent in Somalia. According to UNICEF, “Somalia has one of the highest prevalences of FGM which is 95%”. This constant patriarchal practice which Somali women are subjected to, had made me question the mistreatment of women and how misogyny was persistent in Somalia. Therefore, in this essay, I will explain and describe my experience which led me to become a political subject. In doing so, it will explain and demonstrate how FGM is still prevalent in Somalia.

FGM and Women's Treatment in Somali Culture

As a first-generation immigrant, FGM made me conscious and aware of the clash between British and Somali cultures, whilst I was fond and took pride in Somali culture, I detested practices such as FGM. FGM can be classified into four different categories. The first type is referred to as clitoridectomy, which involves the removal of the clitoris. The second type is referred to as, excision this involves the removal of the clitoris and the labia minora. Lastly, the third type of FGM is called infibulation which involves cutting and repositioning the labia minora, through stitching. (National FGM Centre) whilst the act of FGM shocked me due the mistreatment of women, it made me interested in understanding the treatment of women in society and how politics played a part in allowing the procedure by making it legal, making me question how society allows the mistreatment of women. To help further my knowledge of females in Somalia, I attended multiple workshops led by women who have been victims of FGM. This influenced me to pursue a career in helping women gain control over their bodies.

Normalization of FGM in Somali

I soon became aware that I had no chance of speaking against the barbaric practice as, it is normalized and even supported by females, whilst this may be shocking to people outside Somalia, people are not aware that FGM is normalized and is actually considered abnormal not to have gone through the procedure. This is because FGM is considered to decrease the chance of HIV and make females purer. Perhaps, females accept the barbaric procedure due to the patriarchal society making women internalize the misogyny they face, as Sandra Lipsitz states “During enculturation, the individual gradually internalizes the cultural lenses and thereby becomes motivated to construct an identity that is consistent with them” additionally, FGM is a tool used to control every aspect of a Somali women’s life, be it physical or mental. This made me interested in understanding the treatment of women and understanding different political views, making me a political subject.

FGM as a Tool of Oppression in Somali

The treatment of what can be understood as FGM is an act that involves deep-rooted patriarchy as women are subjected to this patriarchal practice, making me question the injustice women face as they are not only victims suffering the civil war but oppressed by their own men. Alternatively, one can argue that, FGM is crucial in order for women to get married as, not undergoing FGM can affect the chances of women getting married, resulting in a loss of income as the family will not receive dowry for their daughter because in third world countries, females are seen as economic gain, as Sandra Bartky argues in the novel ‘ Femininity and Domination’ women and men can both experience shame but the shame for women differs because it involves the distressed apprehension of oneself as a lesser creature (Bartky). However, people in Somalia fail to see that FGM is known to lead to both short- and long-term damage to physical and psychological health and in some cases lead to death. The procedure of FGM is a traumatic procedure used to control female sexuality and is an experience that women must live with, as Western feminists argue that “the practice reinforces men’s domination over women and creates inequalities (Hosken 1979) perhaps this is why my trip to Somalia was a pivotal changing point in my life as, it made me aware that females all around the world are restricted and regulated which affects the quality of their life as they miss out on their basic human rights that I take for granted such as the autonomy of the body.

Conclusion

To conclude, my trip to Somalia allowed me to become a political subject by making me aware of the mistreatment women face. Ironically FGM is a tool used by the patriarchal society to silence women but for me, as a Somali woman, the act of FGM motivated me to use my voice and privilege, to speak up for the women of Somali that have been silenced and oppressed.

References

1. Ebel, M., 2016. IP1014 Myths and Mysteries in World Politics [PowerPoint] London: City University of London
2. Hosken, F. (1979). The Hosken report. Lexington, Mass.: Women's International Network News.
3. Bem, S. (1978). Bem inventory. Palo Alto, Calif.: Consulting Psychologists Press.
4. BARTKY, S. (2015). FEMININITY AND DOMINATION. [Place of publication not identified]: TAYLOR & FRANCIS. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/59266747.pdf