Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) was never an easy topic for dicussion in the first place. It transcend cultural, tradition and religion. It is widely practice in certain countries in Africa and Asia continents. Majority of cases can be found in the countries that are predominantly muslims. Waris Dirie wrote this book as a continuity of her first and second book, desert flower and desert dawn. She emphasized on her efforts to become the voice of helpless women and girls that faced the horror of FGM. She highlighted an alliance with men in the countries that practiced FGM is a must, that educating them about the danger of FGM will help end this harmful tradition in a long term. Being a victim herself, Waris decided that she needs to put an end to this culture and save many girls out there that are under threat of FGM.

Knyga drįsčiau sakyti šokiravo, nes pasakojama apie mergaičių lytinių organų žalojimą, kuris yra "paprotis" Afrikoje, tačiau atliekamas ir Europoje. Yra net šalių, kurioje atliekamos lytinių organų plastinės operacijųs, dėl kurių daugelis po visko gailisi. Sunku suvokti, kad pasaulyje vyksta tokie dalykai, kad moterys žalojamos ne tik fiziškai, bet ir psichologiškai. Tai turi būti uždrausta visur.

3,5 stars

In ihrem Buch „Schmerzenskinder“ schreibt Waris Dirie über die Situation der weiblichen Genitialverstümmelung in Europa. Sie schreibt von Begegnungen mit anderen Opfern, von Gesprächen mit Experten, von der Willkür der Behörden, dem großen Tabu, dem dieses Thema nach wie vor unterliegt und vor allem aber auch von einigen Prozessen und der gesetzlichen Lage in den unterschiedlichen Ländern. Im Anhang werden auch die einzelnen Formen der FGM und ihre Folgen genauer erläutert. Waris erzählt wie ihr Leben weiterging, nachdem sie die Bücher Wüstenblume und Nomadentochter veröffentlicht hatte. In diesem Buch wird von Erfolgen, Rückschlägen und den Recherchen erzählt.

Teilweise fand ich es ein bisschen viel an Information, aber ich denke, es ist gut, dass es dieses Buch gibt, da es hilft die Menschen auf der Welt über diese schreckliche Praxis aufzuklären. Mir persönlich gefielen die ersten zwei und auch das 4. Buch „Brief an meine Mutter“ besser, aber ich bin froh, dieses Buch gelesen zu haben.

Dirie's previous two books were straight-up memoir: In Desert Flower, she talks about her childhood in Somalia, running away to avoid an unwanted marriage, and becoming a model. In Desert Dawn she talks about her return to Somalia, to visit her family, after years away.

In this third book, although it's informal and largely about her own journey to learn more about FGM* in Europe and elsewhere, the point is less about her life and more to inform. She tackles FGM from a different direction than I'm used to hearing about, though: instead of focusing on its practice in Somalia and elsewhere in Africa and the Middle East, she focuses on Europe and what can be done to prevent a) FGM there and b) girls being sent to their home countries (or their parents' home countries) to have FGM performed.

I admire her for turning her fame and her energy outward, to tackle a difficult subject. I do wish the book were more structured -- she's not a scholar, and a lot of the information repeats itself. It's interesting to note, though, that she doesn't come down in favour of any particular method to stop FGM. Rather, she talks about people who have been active in trying to do so, and what they've concluded. Probably best that she doesn't try to make that call, but definitely a subject that calls for much much more -- more books, more research, more action.

*Using 'FGM' per the book; as Dirie notes, 'FGC' is preferred by many.

Shocking truth ...

This is really an extended report on the FGM situation in Europe, of which I'm sure most people (me included) would be completely unaware. In that way it's not particularly entertaining or enjoyable as a read, but it's certainly interesting and thought provoking, and presents the situation to a wide audience.Reading this will make you want to be able to DO SOMETHING ...

I really enjoyed reading Desert Flower and Desert Dawn but it seems like Waris didnt have enough material for this book. She re uses material from the first 2 books and repeats herself over and over again.

I lost a little respect for Waris after reading of her harrowing story and discovering that she circumcised her own son because she believed it was "cleaner". Was that not the same reasoning her parents had when mutilating her? They thought she would be cleaner and make a better wife.

She also contradicts herself alot in this book, saying that FGM has nothing to do with Islam. She then turns around and says that it is mentioned in the Hadith. It may well be a weak Hadith but its there all the same.

After all her experiences I thought Waris would be a very understanding and tolerant but in fact she is quite racist. Europeans are this, Europeans do that. She seems to forget that its Europe who gives refuge to these girls when they flee their homelands.

If your interested in statistics on FGM then read this book but otherwise stay away and just read Desert flower.

In the desert of ignorance
her life began
she feared not the wild beasts
of Africa,
but the rusted razors
of her clan.
Ravaged by the tradition
that sliced through
her labia like fire
as screams pierced her
tender psyche
mutilating desire;
now trauma and shame
fill her dowry
and caesarean daughters
will be next
as even European surgeons
now redesign
the weaker sex.

Segundo libro que leo de Waris Dirie sobre su lucha contra la mutilación genital femenina. En este caso, se centra más en la situación de la MGF en Europa que en sus propias experiencias personales. Asusta ver hasta qué punto esa práctica bárbara sigue vigente y no solo a miles de kilómetros de nuestras casas. Para reflexionar y concienciarse.

A sad relalisation that FGM is occurring under our noses!

Cerita usaha menentang Mutilasi Genital Perempuan (MGP)...sambil baca ini jadi manggut2 sendiri, oow ada ya khitan kayak begitu.
Saya baca edisi bahasa Indonesia dengan cover yang berbeda.