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From: todd@reed.UUCP (Todd Ellner)
Newsgroups: net.nlang.africa
Subject: Re: Women Circumcision
Message-ID: <1786@reed.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 9-Aug-85 14:56:10 EDT
Article-I.D.: reed.1786
Posted: Fri Aug  9 14:56:10 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 12-Aug-85 07:20:53 EDT
References: <343@link.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: Reed College, Portland, Oregon
Lines: 31

> There is a strong debate going on in Kenya to stop women
> circumcision. The proponent of this debate raised the
> issue of infection and pain at the affected part of the
> body.
> 
> The issues mentioned above are new to me. Can somebody
> educate me on this?  
> -- 
> Wale Akinpelu

*** REPLACE THIS LINE WITH YOUR MESSAGE ***

  "Female circumcision" is actually a euphemism for clitoridectomy,
removal of the clitoris.  This procedure results in the elimination
of the most sexually sensitive part of the woman's body, making orgasm
impossible, if I remember correctly, or at least exceedingly unlikely.
The justification for this mutilation has traditionally been that
women with intact genitalia will enjoy sex too much and, therefore,
be unfaithful to their husbands.
  I knew that this practice survived in parts of Africa but did not know
that Kenya was one such.  I am not sure if it still happens elsewhere.  I
hope not.  Feminists have written extensively on the subject.  If 
you wish to know more check the women's section of any good bookstore.

                                              Hope this has been of help,
                                                     Todd Ellner

                                               USnail : Box 335 Reed College
                                                        Portland, Oregon
                                                        97202