What Is Female Circumcision?

It is the removal of female genitalia, specifically the clitorus and labia. The vagina would typically be almost entirely sewn up, as well. It's still a common practice in parts of Africa and among some African immigrants in other countries. It is illegal in many countries -- including in many of the countries where it is practised in Africa -- but is still a wide-spread cultural practice.

Traditionally the procedure is done with no anesthetic, using crude instruments and in unhygienic conditions. Girls often die of this procedure, which has been better named "female genital mutilation".

It was traditionally done to girls on the cusp of puberty, typically by an older woman in the community. It is justified culturally with the strong belief that "uncircumcised" girls will be sexually licentious, and therefore undesirable marriage prospects. When the girls marry their vaginas may need to be cut or forced open (typically wtih a crude knife) by their new husbands trying to have sex.

Desert Flower is by a former model, Wairis Dirie, who was herself circumcised as a 5-year-old child in Somalia.

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