TITLE: Mystical Practices Surrounding FGM in West Africa: A Dark and Complex Reality
In regions of West Africa, mystical and obscurantist practices surround the FGM of young girls, fueling an underground market where female genitals are used as raw material for the making of potions and ointments that are supposed to confer wealth and power to those who use them. This shocking reality reveals the extent of the beliefs and traditions that perpetuate barbaric FGM in the name of magic and domination.
The harrowing story of Moussa Diallo, once a traditional healer, illustrates the horror of these practices. Diallo regularly smeared himself with a lotion made from the clitoris of a young girl who had been excised, in order to strengthen his mystical powers and achieve positions of leadership and power. This abominable use of female genitals reveals a mentality tinged with archaic beliefs and a quest for power at all costs, to the detriment of respect for human dignity.
The lucrative trade in dried clitorises, used in the making of love potions and magic ointments, reveals a sordid reality where the lives and integrity of women are sacrificed on the altar of superstition and greed. Despite the ban on excision in Côte d’Ivoire for more than a quarter of a century, many women continue to be mutilated, fueling an occult market where human dignity is flouted in the name of pernicious ancestral practices.
The poignant testimonies collected by AFP from former healers, circumcisers and civil society actors highlight the extent of this barbaric practice and the urgent need to fight against these harmful traditions. It is crucial to raise awareness among the population, especially rural communities, about the dangers and devastating consequences of FGM, not only on the physical health of young girls, but also on their psychological well-being and personal development.
The Ivorian authorities must strengthen prevention and repression measures against these criminal practices, in cooperation with international organizations and NGOs committed to protecting the rights of women and children. It is imperative to put an end to this abject trade in female genitalia, which hinders the fight against female genital mutilation and perpetuates a culture of violence and oppression against women in West Africa.
This human tragedy cannot continue in the shadow of ignorance and superstition. It is time to raise our voices and take concrete measures to put an end to these barbaric practices and protect the dignity and integrity of women and girls in West Africa. Only collective and determined action can put an end to this unbearable violence and pave the way for a future of respect, equality and dignity for all.
End of text