Leave that thang alone: Female circumcision barred in Indonesia

Indonesia passed a law back in April barring female circumcision. In typical fashion, they didn’t tell anyone, about the new law. Yesterday it was announced to the medical community. Female circumcision is very popular in Muslim parts of the country, such as Semarang, where Ika is from.

Talking with Indonesia women who have had the proceedure, they seem quite positive about it, so maybe there is room for discussion. Often these things get labeled as torture / mutilation / etc.

Medical staff were told they are not allowed to perform the traditional proceedure any more, but there would be no punishment for those who do (yes folks, this is Indonesia).

Ika showed me album photos, of her younger brother getting circumcised when he was about 12. All the relatives were outside the clinic, smiling and laughing, and inside they showed the brother, laying on the bed, about to bid adios to his little man (or part of it). Its all a party when someone gets cut over here.

Female circumcision is a sticky issue and needs further looking into.