In Mali, where 93 percent of women are circumcised, the ritual is deeply rooted in village society and tradition. At an early age, girls are circumcised in order to allow them to “live their life in purity and become good wives.” In a culture where much of life centers around the importance of respecting ancestors and is built on a hierarchy based of age and gender, it can be difficult to reexamine such a deeply entrenched practice.

Educating people on the dangers of genital mutilation demands patience and perseverance. Astan Diallo is an employee of a local non-governmental organization who travels to several villages on her moped, talking to men and women about the health hazards of circumcision. With deliberate sensitivity to the culture, she approaches village elders, who serve as the decision makers, before speaking to the younger generations. Reactions to her advice make clear the nature of a society where there is little room for individual choice. As one girl explains, “Whatever they decide, banning it or continuing it, I will do the same.” But after five years of work, Diallo’s efforts begin to bear results, as old traditions make way for new ones.

African Studies Association, 2003