The event, a part of Black History Month, was sponsored by the African
Student Organization and co-sponsored by Pitt's department of Africana
studies, the department of anthropology and the University Center for
International Studies.
Uzoma is health behavioral specialist who has organized and participated
in many forums addressing the issue. Uzoma, a Nigerian, defended some
forms circumcision and said both she and her daughter are circumcised.
There are, she said, three different types of femal circumcision: sunna;
clitordectomy, also referred to as excision; and infubulation, also
referred to as pharonic cicumcision.
Sunna circumcision is the removal of the tip of the clitoris. A
clitordectomy involves the removal of the entire clitoris and the removal
of adjacent labia.
Infibulation, the most extreme form, is the removal of the clitoris and
the adjacent labia. It also involves the joining of the scraped sides of
the vulva across the vagina, where they are secured with thorns or sewn
together with catgut or thread. A small opening is kept to allow passage
of urine and menstrual blood. An infibulated woman must be cut open to
allow intercourse on her wedding night, and she is closed again afterward
to secure fidelity to her husband.
"African women and daughter are treasures," Uzoma said. "They would not
subject their daughters to something they don't know about."
Uzoma said circumcisions are done for cosmetic, hygienic, safety and
sexual purposes. When circumcision is performed for cosmetic purposes, it
is thought to make the genitalia look better.
She added that it's done for hygienic reason because bacteria can hide
behind the clitoral hood and because some people think removal of the hood
can enhance sexual pleasure for the woman.
Sometimes, circumcision is performed to prevent rape and to ensure
virginity until marriage, Uzoma said.
The procedure can result in death, serious infections, possible infection
with HIV, abscesses and small benign tumors. It also has long-term
effects including the possibility of urinary tract infections and
reproductive tract infections.
Dirie, a Somalian supermodel and a special ambassador for the Elimination
of Female Genital Mutilation for the United Nations Population Fund,
objects to all forms of circumcision. She has written a book, "Dessert
Flower," which chronicles her transformation from a desert nomad to a
supermodel and social activist.
Dirie, who was circumcised at age 5, had to take a deep breath as she
approached the podium after hearing Uzoma speak.
"I disagree with everything she says. I'm so enraged I can't even speak,"
she said.
"Girls are dying from gangrene, and all you can say is, 'It's the African
way,'" said Dirie of Uzoma's comments. "Well, I'm African, and I don't
like it-it's not the African way."
Dirie said she clearly remembers the day she was circumcised; she
underwent the process because she had no choice and was held down.
"I was forced to become a woman, and it was unfair that I had to go
through so many changes," she said.
Dirie quickly opened the floor to questions and comments from the
audience, composed of people with varying ethnicities, cultures and
opinions.
"I don't approve of circumcision. If you are born with a clitoris then
you are meant to have one," said Pitt Africana Studies professor Brenda
Berrian.
Other audience members thought the circumcision issue had to be handled
delicately.
"Everything has to be examined within its own context, whether it's
social, political, or economical," said Pitt senior Christolyn Carter.
"You can't be ethnocentric. You should look at it with a clear focus and
cultural perspective. Female circumcision is a human rights and cultural
issues. Nothing is as simple as it seems."
Back to writing
samples