Female Circumcision, Still In Tradition

 

The Widespread practice of Female Circumcision in Iraq's North Highlights The Plight of Women in a region often seen as more socially progressive.

 

In the photo, seven year old Sheelan Anwar Omer who's been affected by this worst tradition. Female circumcision - different types of operations on women's genitals, until the complete removal of the head and body parts clitoris (clitoridectomy - klitoridektomiya) and small genital lips. More details on this cruel act with 10 more pics after the jump.

 

Sheelan Anwar Omer, 7, second from right, sits with girls from her neighborhood, waiting for a party her mother promised.

 

Sheelan comes into the room in search of a party that her mother had promised. Unknown woman closes the door, and my mother asked to undress.

 

Sheelan and her mother watch the midwife preparing the tools of circumcision, before Sheelan realizes what is about to take place.

 

Maharoub Juwad Nawchas, a 40-year-old midwife with traditional Kurdish tattoos covering her chin, prepares the area where she will perform the female circumcision with a new razor blade and antiseptic.

 

Neighborhood girls peek inside the house where Sheelan is circumcised.

 

The midwife comforts Sheelan after cutting part off her genitals with a new razor.

 

As the midwife slices off part of Sheelan's genitals, the girl lets out a high-pitched wail heard throughout the neighborhood.

 

Sheelan continues to cry after her circumcision.

 

Sheelan holds a cloth to her genitals after the circumcision. "I just wish that I could be the way I was before the procedure," she said.

 

Sheelan receives a bag of candy and soda from her mother after being circumcised.

 

Midwife Maharoub Juwad Nawchas counts the money she earned for circumcising Sheelan and five other girls. She charges 4,000 Iraqi dinars, or just under $3.50, for a circumcision. She learned from her mother, who used to perform the procedure for free. She has circumcised about 30 girls a year for the past two decades.