September 13, 2012
Liberia: In Sande Bush - Woman Bleeds to Death
Liberia's traditional school (Sande and Poro) authorities have vowed to continue with the practice despite the negative campaign from a few local and international groups for abolition.Their commitment comes in the wake of report on the Voice of America (VOA) African service program Wednesday, suggesting that a 20-years old woman died in a sande bush after being circumcised in Nimba County.
The girl, (named with-held), according to the report, passed away at a local clinic where she was rushed from the bush as a result of profuse bleeding after the circumcision exercise.
In spite of that, authorities of those traditional schools (Sande and Poro) told the VOA that the practice was an inheritance from their ancestors long before Liberia's birth intended to prepare young women for home management and marriage, as well as to help women to give birth to more children.
Commenting on the issue, Varbah Gayflor, then Gender and Development Minister, said though the practice was age-old, it must be respected because it is the tradition and culture of the people. [A reason that is no reason at all.]
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One woman bleeds to death, it makes the news. 20 men bleed to death, it's "tradition," and instead, it is suggested they should have been circumcised at a hospital.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the woman would not have bled to death if she were circumcised "by a professional?"