FILMAKERS LIBRARY

Women's Studies

In the Name of God

Changing Attitudes Towards Mutilation

 Women's Studies Anthropology
Produced by Cadmos Film for SVT African Issues Health

Ethiopian women who refuse to be circumcised are called "filthy dog." There is a whole mythology going back thousands of years that such women are repulsive and unmarriageable.

Even today, over 115 million women are genitaly mutilated by razors, scissors or even more primitive and painful methods. Twenty-five nations in Africa, in parts of Asia, and in Arabic countries maintain this practice and through refugees it is being performed in Europe and the U.S. On the bright side, their are small inroads being made. This film takes us to the Fistula Hospital in Addis Ababa, one of the few places giving medical care to victims of infibulation. Here, recovered patients are even trained to assist doctors in repairing the damages to other women. An increasing number of Ethiopian women have started to protest against these ancient traditions, even giving out information in schools. But change will not happen overnight.

29 min. Video. Sale $295. Rental $55.

National Women's Studies Association, 1997

 

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