Saleema Campaign

Female genital cutting is a deep social and religious tradition. One, that has been practiced since ancient times. Genital cutting was created based on the belief that the foreskin was the feminine part of the male and the clitoris the masculine part of the woman. The removal of extra tissue thereby circumvented sexual ambiguity. It is a practice that represents the extreme inequality women and girls face everyday all around the world. The Arab world places the stigma of shame upon girls who are uncut.


Justification of this practice continues until this day. It is hard to believe that as I type this, girls are faced with this horrific reality. Supporters of the practice justify in terms of preserving their cultural identity, controlling women’s sexuality by reducing their sexual fulfillment; and as a religious duty and doctrine, among other things. Therefore, communities that practice genital mutilation have a sense of responsibility to carry on the tradition and it remains a requirement for social acceptance.

In Sudan, UNICEF and the EU are working to end genital cutting. The‘Saleema’ programme celebrates girls who are not cut. The program aims to educate Sudanese families and encourage them to discuss taboo subjects like genital cutting. By doing so, they ask Sudanese to consider the implications of the practice and how it relates to human rights.

Each of us has a responsibility to support organizations like UNICEF and their efforts to bring an end to practices that oppress anyone, especially children.