Patriarchy and FGM

Patriarchy according to the Bell Hooks reading is defined as a “political-social system that insists that males are inherently dominating, superior to everything and everyone deemed weak, especially females, and endowed with the right to dominate and rule over the weak and to maintain that dominance through various forms of psychological terrorism and violence.” (pg. 18) The author explains how feminists politics and viewpoint acknowledge this masculine hierarchy and aim to challenge not just men but also the women who have been indoctrinated by patriarchal values.

Up until about a year ago, I had stumbled across a serious issue called FGM (Female Genital Mutilation). Recently I have confronted the issue to others who I thought may have heard or knew what it is. Oddly enough, the family and friends I socialize with everyday either had not been introduced to the topic before or was uncomfortable discussing this. Interestingly, although I have learned about some violence towards women and societal patriarchy in school. Nothing like this was ever learned or discussed or even introduced.

 Patriarchy is included in our school systems through curriculum as well as the hierarchy of power in a school system. FGM is a practice held out by women for men, this is what the author meant by the women who are indoctrinated and manipulated by patriarchal values. She says, “Women can be as wedded to patriarchal thinking and action as men.” (pg.26) She explains here that the fight does not just reach out to men only, but also to other women and in the case of FGM, to the women who you may be closest to. There are many artist who confront FGM through their artwork. One peice of work by Olubunmi Tamitope Oyesanya called The Scourge, depicts the horrifying moment of FGM. She is protesting the patriarchy of FGM through her painting as it confronts the audience.