Imagine waking up one morning as a child, unaware that your life is about to change forever. Imagine being held down, unable to scream loud enough, while a blade cuts through your most sacred part—without your consent, without pain relief, without any way to escape.
She is told she is about to become a “woman” she doesn’t even know what that means, but she trusts the adults around her that they won’t harm her. Then without warning held down, hands pinned and legs forced apart just like a slaughtered animal – a brutal cut, a jagged tear—done with a rusty blade, a shard of glass, or even rough, unclean hands—on the most intimate part of her body. No anaesthesia, just unbearable pain, She screams, but no one comes to her rescue. Some bleed profusely, others succumb to infection, and many are left permanently deformed, facing agonizing complications during future normal childbirths. This is the grim reality of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)—a cruel practice rooted in the misguided belief that it prevents promiscuity or prepares girls for marriage. In reality, it is a violation of their dignity and a lifelong scar of abuse.
Some girls experience this as young as seven years old (same age as my niece, which is heartbreaking). Others, just before puberty, are forced into this brutal practice in the name of “tradition”—a tradition that leaves them with lasting pain, and deep psychological trauma, as they are even forced into early marriages. This leads to school dropouts, limiting their future to a cycle of poverty and lost opportunities.
To continue this barbaric practice, some parents now pay rogue medical professionals to perform FGM in secrecy—deceiving themselves that a sterile scalpel makes it “safer.” But cutting a child is never safe; it is brutal, life-altering, and deeply inhumane. Even those who escape it as children are not always free—some cultures force it upon them during labor, turning childbirth into yet another moment of suffering. This is not a tradition to be preserved.
It is an atrocity to be abolished.
Why Should You Care?
You might be wondering,” Why does this matter to me?” Here’s why: Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” — Proverbs 31:8-9
🔹 Because it could happen to someone you know. Your sister, cousin, friend, classmate or your age mate somewhere in the world, could be next. FGM isn’t a distant issue—it’s affecting girls in many communities today.
🔹 Because silence allows it to continue. If young people don’t speak out (the majority), who will? The more we ignore it, the more it thrives in secrecy.
🔹 Because culture should never justify pain. Traditions evolve. The world today is different from centuries ago, and just because something has been practiced for generations doesn’t mean it’s right. Foot-binding, slavery, and public executions were once “cultural” too—until people stood up and said, Enough!
🔹 Because FGM doesn’t just harm the body—it destroys futures. Many girls who undergo FGM drop out of school, are married off against their will, and live with medical complications for life. Some don’t survive.
To Those Who Have Been Affected or Are at Risk
Many survivors live with fear, PTSD, and crippling anxiety, haunted by the screams they once heard, the unbearable pain they endured, and the betrayal they felt from those who were supposed to protect them. Some flinch at the sound of metal, others dread medical exams, and many carry an unspoken shame, struggling to reclaim their sense of self.
But now the focus should be on acknowledging the pain, rejecting shame, and choosing healing.
If you have gone through FGM, know this: it was not your fault, and you are not alone. What was done to you does not define your worth, your future, or your ability to heal. The scars may be deep, both physically and emotionally, but healing is possible. You deserve to live without shame, without fear, and with the freedom to reclaim your body and your choices. Seek support, connect with others who understand, and remember—your pain does not have to be your identity.
If you are at risk, know that there is a way out. There are shelters, organizations, and advocates who can help protect you. Speak to someone you trust, find a safe space, and never believe the lie that you must accept this as your fate. You are valuable, and you have the right to a future free from harm. If you can, use your voice—because speaking up might save not only yourself but also another girl from suffering the same pain.
The Truth About FGM
FGM is not about purity. It is not about honor. It is about control—controlling a girl’s body, her choices, and her future. It is about fear—fear that an educated, independent woman will challenge the system. But let the truth be said: An empowered girl is a powerful force.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
This reminds us that our bodies are sacred, and should be treated with respect and care, not harmed or mutilated
What Can You Do?
1⃣ Educate Yourself and Others – Learn about FGM and talk about it. The more people understand its dangers, the harder it becomes to justify.
2⃣ Support Those Affected – If you know someone who has gone through this, be there for them. Encourage them to seek help and remind them that what happened was not their fault.
3⃣ Challenge Harmful Beliefs – Question traditions that hurt people. Speak up when someone defends FGM. Ask them: Should a rite of passage cause pain and suffering?
4⃣ Use Your Voice – Social media is a powerful tool. Share information, spread awareness, and support organizations fighting against FGM.
5⃣ Protect Future Generations – If you have younger siblings, cousins, or friends at risk, stand up for them. Help them find safe spaces if they are in danger.
The Future is in Your Hands
Young people change the world every day. Malala Yousafzai fought for girls’ education. Greta Thunberg fights for the planet. You can fight for the right of every girl to live free from mutilation and forced marriage.
We don’t have to accept FGM just because it has existed for centuries. Culture should uplift, not oppress. Traditions should empower, not destroy. If you stay silent, you allow the suffering to continue. But if you speak up, you become the generation that ends this once and for all.
FGM must end. The question is—will you be part of the fight?
Prayer
Dear God,
We lift up every girl who has suffered the pain of FGM and child marriage. Heal their wounds—both seen and unseen. Restore their strength, their dignity, and their hope. For those still at risk, Lord, be their shield. Give them the courage to speak up, the wisdom to seek help, and the protection they need to escape harm.
Touch the hearts of those who uphold these harmful traditions—open their eyes to see the pain they cause and give them the willingness to change. May our voices rise in unity to defend the vulnerable, and may justice prevail.
In Jesus Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.
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Hey, I’m Angeline, your RN also a Counselor and founder of Finally Am Found. With a heart for mentorship, I’ve been guiding teens and young adults since 2017. As a Registered Nurse, I blend medical expertise with personal experiences to create a Christ-aligned space for self-discovery. Connect with Angeline on Facebook and let the journey to self-discovery begin!
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