Obstacles

Many countries have been able to cut down on the rate of practiced circumcision. Unfortunately, for many areas there is simply not enough being done to combat this horrendous ritual. In order to understand why female mutilation still exists it is important to look at these countries individually. For this I would like to compare and contrast two African countries: Sudan and Kenya.
Attempts to teach people about the harmful effects of female circumcision can only be met if those in the surrounding area can afford to go to school. In Sudan, there are much lower education rates therefore fewer can be well-informed. Within Kenya, where the economic and political structure is more stable, many more can attend school. So within Kenya we see a smaller percentage of young girls undergoing these procedures. However it must be mentioned that in the case of the Abagusii of Kenya the age at which this ritual is performed is actually declining. Girls as young as 6-8 undergo this procedure, whereas at the beginning of the 19th century they were circumcised at 10-11 years of age. This decline in age when the practice is performed, could be attributed to the demand for female labor and men’s desires to start families without any delays.
Aside from this anomaly it is pivotal that we understand that education in key in eradicating this dangerous practice. Specifically, it is essential that for change to be made, this education must come from those who are or have once been within these communities. It has been proven that outsiders, unfamiliar with the specific inner workings of these cultures, are not nearly as effective as those with first hand knowledge. Mostly, it is important young girls are understood on an equal level, something only someone who has been there can offer. Still there remains the issue of who is going to reach that one individual who will spread the word in the first place?

It's History...

Clear back to the times of the ancient Egyptians, perhaps back to the beginning of mankind, a distinctive tradition arose. This age old tradition is still practiced today in much of Africa and is known as female circumcision. Female circumcision can be found in over 26 countries across Africa. Sudan and Kenya share some characteristics but it is because of their variations that we see differences in the rate and acceptance of this practice.
Sudan, Africa’s largest country, is to say the least a very unstable country. Civil war has consumed most of the 20th century, and continues today in Sudan. This war is being fought between the Muslims of the North and the Christians of the South. Due to the weakened government there has been little support to humanitarian assistance like education and health concerns. Kenya, on the contrary, is the prime example for African progress. Education levels are greater in Kenya due to its steadier economy and government.
In ancient Egypt, girls were not permitted to marry, enter a mosque or inherit property until they were circumcised. Even though female circumcision is commonly practiced in much of Africa, it has also been found to occur historically in parts of Australia, Asia and perhaps South American. Although the practice of female circumcision can be dated back thousands of years the origins of this practice are uncertain. Studies have found that this practice is predominantly an ethnic one and has nothing to do with political boundaries.
Many have no idea that this practice still exists or perhaps ever has. There are numerous reasons I wish to explore this issue, most chiefly because it is dangerous and harmful. Young girls are undergoing this form of initiation without any choice in the matter as a way to "fit in" with their culture's ways. As I will discuss later, many of these forms of female circumcision, or female genital mutilation, have a profound effect on a woman's capabilities of sexual intercourse. Even so far as to say many forms are used as a control method to keep women under check and without any options to seek out a partner other than the one they were sold to.