Catherine Keita, nurse, and "champion" in the project against female genital mutilation. Photo courtesy.
Ms. Keita, why is the fight against FGM so important to you?
As a healthcare professional and a woman, I am well aware of the severe impacts of female genital cutting. That’s why I feel it’s essential to end this practice.
What specific negative effects are you referring to?
FGC contributes to both infant and maternal mortality. It can cause vaginal fistulas and lead to complications during childbirth, as the external genital organs are partially or entirely removed. Type 3 cut (infibulation) also causes difficulties during sexual intercourse. In your daily work, you encounter women who have been cut and are suffering as a result.
Could you share some of these experiences with us?
The most heartbreaking experience for me was the death of a six-month-old girl. She was brought to our health center as an emergency after being circumcised, but she died from severe bleeding. Sadly, there have been other tragic cases, too.
Could you give some other examples?
One case I often think of is a 16-year-old who bled heavily after giving birth. Her delivery was extremely complicated because her vulva was closed due to type 3 cut, and it required a surgical tear to save her and her baby. This is one of the many possible consequences of FGC. Other outcomes aren’t fatal but are still very serious. For instance, a circumcised acquaintance experiences pain during intercourse and hasn’t found relief. This has led to significant strain in her marriage.
What do you believe needs to change?
Society’s perception must change. There are many misconceptions around FGM. Despite the dangers, many still see it as essential and even as a religious obligation. In Baraouilli, over 80% of people believe that a woman who is not cut is impure and cannot fully practice her religion. Many men also believe that sexual relations with uncircumcised women can lead to impotence or infertility.
What role can you play in bringing about this change?
My role is to keep educating the community on the consequences of FGC, providing counter-arguments based on religious perspectives and medical facts. During prenatal and postnatal consultations, I regularly speak with women and girls about the importance of abandoning this practice.
Can you share specific instances where you feel you’ve helped make a difference?
I believe I’ve helped change some women’s views, especially those we care for at the hospital and during meetings with female mentors. Many of them now agree that we need to abandon FGC. Some even share that they suffer from the consequences themselves and don’t want their daughters to endure the same. In 2023, through the project with IAMANEH Switzerland and RIPOD, I was able to gain the pastor’s support and ensure that girls and boys in the church receive accurate information about circumcision. Some of them have even pledged not to cut their future daughters.
In the RIPOD and IAMANEH Switzerland project, you hold the title of «champion» ; What does that mean to you?
It means I am a courageous young woman, committed to the fight against FGC. This vital project allows me to support the physical and mental health of girls and women. Within RIPOD, a religious framework has been developed that highlights women’s rights within religious contexts. With this, I can demonstrate that FGC is not a religious requirement. This project empowers me to work toward ending FGC.
In a collaborative project with IAMANEH Switzerland, RIPOD is dedicated to advancing women’s rights in Mali. A network of religious leaders is working to foster social change and make it clear that religion does not justify violence against women. Learn more about the project Stop FGC: Promoting Women’s Rights Across All Religious Communities.
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