Khadija Gbla: My mother’s strange definition of empowerment TED

Khadija Gbla grew up caught between two definitions of what it means to be an “empowered woman.” While her Sierra Leonean mother thought that circumsizing her — and thus stifling her sexual urges — was the ultimate form of empowerment, her culture as a teenager in Australia told her that she deserved pleasure and that what happened to her was called “female genital mutilation.” In a candid and funny talk, she shares what it was like to make her way in a “clitoris-centric society,” and how she works to make sure other women don’t have to figure this out. (Warning: This talk contains hard-to-hear details.)

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[nvcn]

that's why culture should be always questioned and not revered. if it makes sense - keep it. until it doesn't.

[slimyweasles]

A very important thing that she said in her talk was how culture is no excuse for doing harm to people. In an increasingly globalized world full of culture clashes and battles over what one can and cannot do and why (especially if the reason is because of culture) it's important to remember that while it is important to respect everyone's culture, if the culture is hurting people, then that aspect of the culture is bad and cannot be an excuse for the suffering of our fellow human beings. We can and should respect and embrace other cultures, an our own, while also refusing to put up with evil practices. 

[KitsuneKun]

7:21 That's a pretty powerful statement. "Culture" should never be a shield for child abuse or any violation of human rights.

[meaning]

My grandma did the same thing to my mom but my parents have decided this thing have to stop and I'm glad they did

[slimyweasles]

What a brave, amazing woman. I had no idea FGM was so prevalent in western countries like Australia. I'm very glad that she was able to take such a horrific experience and use it to do good in the world. I hope we will all help her in making our cruel world a little better for everyone.

[anitapringle]

this Woman spoke at my school and holy crap her speech was amazing, she speaks with so much passion and knowledge that you cant help but be captivated by her every word. honestly so happy for whats she doing in the world today and so happy i got to meet her

[jaimetomoyo]

It is not a black problem, it is not a white problem. This is a problem for everyone. Inspiring.

[innazhurav]

No circumcision for kids! It was very painfull to listen.  Great talk. Thanks.

[shisuiki]

Here is a link to the petition she refers to at the end:

[kinky]

I could not stop from crying. Great video thanks for sharing.
Khadija Gbla you are such a funny and strong woman

[catsmeat]

This is an amazing talk given by someone who knows about and lives her culture everyday, stop being ignorant people - spread the word, I live in NZ and I'm sure this is also happening here, it must end, we need talks like this to educate us, thanks so much Khadija for sharing your story it has certainly opened my eyes x good luck in your mission.

[TheJacquelinia]

What an amazing woman. This is such a sensitive subject but she did a great and funny talk. I always thought this was only a problem in West Africa..

[MihoubiAssala]

That was totally inspiring!! You are a true and complete woman. You have a strong message and we all here fight beside you, keep up the good work, MAY GOD BLESS YOU <3

[blam]

I can't believe any mother would do this to her child. When my daughter was sick at 6 days old and she had to be held down to get an IV in her time veins and they tried 5 different veins 9 times her screams were more than I could bare. I was sobbing uncontrollably with her. I can't imagine the screams of a girl being circumcised. The thought is terrifying.

[katiekawaii]

She is wonderful. I have nothing to add. She was dead on, 100%.

[apc]

Well outspoken, very educative and true. FGM is babaric and child abuse, it needs to be criminalised and not glamorised by societies in these third world countries. Thanks Khadija for being brave to openly sharing this horrible experience of yours

[Overonator]

No medically unnecessary bodily modification without the informed consent of the body's owner.

[SweetGaBrownin]

just thought I would pass this video along to you, I know it is a cause dear to your heart... Peace Sis!

[anabertharamosseto]

TODOS LOS ARTISTAS EN EL MUNDO AMAMOS EL CUERPO EN SU MAXIMA EXPRESION TAL CUAL ES COMO EL AGUA EN EL

[ebooklibrary]

If you had a Mercedes Benz on lease for 18 years, after that period of time you would still not own the car and in fact would not be allowed to have previously tinted the windows or switched out the suspension or anything that would be adding or subtracting from the vehicle because you still would not own it. So what makes you think it's okay to treat your children who are on an 18 year lease as though you own them, cutting off the spoiler and adding rims to them. Maybe this visceral analogy will shed some light on the issue.

Journal of Urology (Baltimore), vol 153, no 3 part I (March 1995: pp 778-779) states that the rate of circumcision accidents in industrialized nations is from 1.5% to 15%.
Read the article "Newborn Penile Glans Amputation during Circumcision .." note that the doctor who operated had already performed the operation more than 300 times - so much for experience.