This year we said goodbye to an internationally celebrated writer, activist, medical doctor and psychiatrist Nawal El Saadawi.
Nawal El Saadawi has held firm stances and been vocal in criticism of the negative aspects of culture. She has prominently expressed her values with regards to bodily autonomy, individual liberty, and the harms of classism, sexism, theocracy and imperialism.
After criticising FGM, Nawal had her career taken from her. After expressing her dissatisfaction with the governance of Egypt, she was thrown in jail. Whilst raising awareness of male circumcision, we often suffer setbacks that come with criticising extreme cultural practices that have been normalised. It is humbling to be reminded of Nawal’s bravery. She stepped forward despite the direct threat to her life, career and freedom. Nawal lived in virtual exile from Egypt for many years, as her criticism against religion put her life in danger.
In her own words:
“Danger has been a part of my life ever since I picked up a pen and wrote. Nothing is more perilous than truth in a world that lies.”
Nawal El Saadawi - On Male Circumcision
She maintained that religious institutions should stay out of education, and pointed out the trend of worldwide female oppression in the countries that had less secularism. This stems from some organised religious institutions having doctrine that pressurises strict gender and parental roles. Despite her liberal parents, family and cultural pressures encouraged her to be married off at the age of 10 years old which would have prevented her from continuing her education. Her parents did eventually support her resistance. As a vocal critic of male circumcision as well as FGM, she fought for equal treatment and fairness between all people.
“Since I was a child, that deep wound in my body has never healed.”
May she be remembered as an inspiration for us to speak our minds when our values are noble, and that working towards progress is slow and filled with set backs.
Recognising the harm of female circumcision was not an easy battle. Many have been imprisoned, silenced, and shamed. Let us remember that as we campaign to raise awareness of the harms and trauma of male circumcision.
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