Title: Woman betrayed by loved ones mourns a double loss.

POPLINE Document Number: 129011

Author(s):

Dugger CW

Source citation:

NEW YORK TIMES, 1996 Sep 11;:B7.

Abstract:

At age 15, Mariam was dating and having sex with her childhood sweetheart, Idrissou Abdel Razak. Without informing Mariam, Idrissou and his parents obtained the permission of Mariam's family for the two youths to marry. Idrissou and his parents also asked Mariam's parents to have her genitals removed without giving her advanced notice that the procedure would take place. On the day of the genital excision, Mariam was locked in her room by her family, and 6 women were sent in to forcibly cut off her clitoris and genital lips. Mariam was subsequently rushed to a hospital because her wound would not stop bleeding. She developed an infection in the hospital and remained there for 3 weeks. Idrissou and Mariam eventually got married about 7 years later. They both agree that Mariam no longer experiences the sexual pleasure enjoyed during intercourse before the removal of her external genitalia. Mrs. Razak, now age 24, also believes that the excision and the infection it caused are responsible for her inability to bear children. Mr. Razak has nonetheless vowed to remain married to his wife even if she has been rendered infertile. Furthermore, should Mariam become pregnant and bear daughters, Mr. Razak has vowed to send them out of the country to prevent them from being subjected to female genital mutilation.

Keywords:

Togo
Culture
Cultural Background
Female Genital Cutting
Reproductive Tract Infections
Infertility
Women
Developing Countries
Africa, Western
Africa, Sub Saharan
Africa
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population
Harmful Traditional Practices
Traditional Health Practices
Infections
Diseases
Reproduction