Cure for Mondays: Mom Bloggers for Social Good

Female Genitalia Mutilation finally banned in Somalia

mideastyouth.com

Jennifer James, founder of Mom Bloggers for Social Good (I am a proud founding member of this wonderful organization), recently published the article “10 Global Development Stories to be Thankful For”. These are stories of success that are inspiring and empowering. One story that sent me throwing my arms up to the sky was about the banning of Female Genitalia Mutilation in Somalia.

The new Somalian government has a new constitution that states: Circumcision of girls is cruel and degrading customary practice, and is tantamount to torture. The circumcision of girls is prohibited. Please see Article 15, Item number four below.

What is FGM?

World Health Organization defines Female Genitalia Mutilation (FGM) as a practice that “comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.”

The practice has been done for centuries and insane as it may sound, FGM is done for religious, cultural and social causes in many parts of the world. Removing the clitoris of a woman will lead to the complete or partial loss of sexual desires. A woman therefore remains "pure" and her virginity is saved for when she gets married. This alone is clearly a violation of a woman's right to decide for her own body and she is left without a choice nor a voice.

It is unthinkable enough that people could just mutilate helpless young girls, add to that the fact that 90% of the time no anesthesia is used during a clitoridectomy, excision, infibulation, and other extreme procedures including pricking, piercing, incising, scraping and cauterizing. As a woman, I know what extreme torture that could be.

FGM has no benefits to the health and even endangers the life of circumcised women as they become more prone to infections and diseases.

So hearing the news on the banning of FGM in Somalia, I raise my arms up and I thank the universe for the wonderful miracle. The banning of such practice should be done in all parts of the world. The torture of women should stop!

What are you thankful for today? Share with us your stories.

Mom Bloggers for Social Good, female circumcision, Somalia, torture of women, child abuse, domestic abuse, Africa, female genital mutilation, maternal health

No Comments

, by Frances Beldia

Global Genes Project

Rally for RARE Disease

Photo courtesy of PSOD

February 29 is World RARE Disease Day.

A whopping 7,000 rare diseases have already been identified affecting more that 350 million people worldwide. According to The Global Genes Project, 75% of those with RARE disease are children.

On the global front, The Global Genes Project has been raising awareness about RARE disease since 2010. Mom Bloggers for Social Good is an active ally in this effort to raise awareness. Reaching out to more people means getting more support, and hopefully, sufficient funding for the development of treatments and cure.

Please help us in spreading the word about RARE disease by doing the following:

1.)    Join the “1 Million for RARE” movement and like the
        Global Genes Project Facebook page: 1 Million for RARE

2.)    Tweet @GlobalGenes. Use #1Mil4RARE

3.) Forward to a friend!

In the Philippines, the Philippine Society for Orphan Disorders (PSOD) is also seeking for help for those affected by RARE disease. It is the sentiment of the people behind PSOD that people with RARE disease are orphaned by society because very little is known about their condition. Since 1991, a group of doctors from the University of the Philippines, National Institute of Health, and Institute of Human Genetics have been dedicating their time attending to patients, and have also been continuously undertaking clinical trials to find ways to improve the health of Filipinos affected with the difficult condition.

Some of the rare diseases in the IHG-PSOD registry are: 6 Pyruvoltetrahydropterin Synthase Deficiency, Holocarboxylase Synthase Deficiency, Maple Syrup Urine Disorder, Mucopolysaccharidosis, and Tay Sach’s Disease, to name a few in a long list of diseases we may never have heard of before. You can learn more about them through PSOD.

There are patients who are appealing for help for their medication, treatment, life-saving therapies and medical equipment.

Spread the word by forwarding this article to everyone you know. Please help save a life today.