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Dear Friend,
As I write you today, as many as 6,000 girls in countries across Africa, the Middle East and Asia risk undergoing a
painful procedure called female genital cutting.
My name is Dr. Helene D. Gayle, president and CEO of CARE. Because the physical and emotional consequences of
female genital cutting are so severe, I'm asking you to take just a few minutes today to
help stop this dangerous practice.
First, what is female genital
cutting?
The term female genital cutting refers to several different forms of cutting.
Infibulation, the most severe, involves the removal of all or part of the
external genitalia, leaving only a small opening for urine and menstruation. The
cutting usually takes place before the age of 12.
So why does this painful practice continue? Despite complications that can
include severe bleeding, infection, long-term difficulties with intercourse
and childbirth, and even death, many communities see FGC as part of their
cultural heritage and a valued rite of passage. Both men and women sanction
the practice as a way to ensure a girl's virginity before marriage, fulfill a
religious obligation and maintain their cultural identity.
How you can help through CARE.
CARE is a leading humanitarian organization that places special focus on
empowering poor women to fight poverty and improve their lives. Through years
of working side by side with communities on agriculture, health and education
projects, CARE has built up a foundation of trust that allows us to
respectfully open up a community dialogue about abandoning FGC. Our approach includes:
- Educating key community leaders, religious leaders and village
elders
- Starting a community dialogue and holding public discussions on
FGC
- Supporting individual change in families that
abandon the practice
Slowly
but surely, we're making progress. We have already seen changes that would
have seemed impossible a few years ago. Communities are now having public
discussions about alternatives to FGC. Women are taking more active roles in
the debate. In some areas, entire villages have abandoned the practice.
I am encouraged by the progress we've
made in several communities, but there is still much to be done.
And that's where you come in. Please, take the first step today to help us
end female genital cutting. Click here to sign our petition to
end FGC.
With your support, I know we can help more and more communities stop FGC. Together,
we can make a real difference in the lives of women around the world.
Sincerely,
Helene D. Gayle, MD, MPH
President and CEO, CARE
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