Female Genitalia as a site of Ambiguity & Intervention

This webinar is part of the Patriarchal Inscriptions: Female bodies contested, invaded defended & owned webinar series.

Since 1988, when Dr Pierre Foldes uncovered how to restore the clitoris, the relatively simple 20-30 minute operation has been celebrated by beneficiaries, distrusted by FGM’s opponents, and vehemently opposed by guardians of the status quo.

This event will respond to the following questions:

• What efforts have been made in various venues to introduce the discussion of sexual pleasure?
• What explicit impediments arise?
• How has the medical profession dealt with the pioneering technique?
• What protocols are followed?
• What do beneficiaries say about their newly-won status? How and where can FGM survivors find medical help and each other, in order to share stories?
• How does the fact of restoration affect abolition?

Programme

Is it truly easier to make a hole than to build a pole? Feminist reflection on a chapter of genital surgery on children with ambiguous genitalia

Dr. Med. Marion Hulverscheidt, Kassel University, Department of History

The global quest for genital beauty: female genital mutilation/cutting vs female genital reshaping

Oluchukwu Loveth Obiora, RPHN Hillel Friedland Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

From Farafenni to Paris: Clitoral Restoration

Neneh Bojang, MA in political science, founding director of the Inter-African Committee in Norway, & radio & TV talk show host

Jeanie Kortum, artist & novelist, author of Stones (SheWritesPress/UnCUT/VOICES Press, 2017) & founding executive director of A Home Away from Homelessness.

Tobe Levin von Gleichen, Visiting professor, King’s College London & Associate, Hutchins Center for African & African American Research, Harvard University

FGM survivors’ quest for wholeness: On making a film about the pioneers of clitoris reconstruction

Sebastian Krüger, filmmaker, Krueger Productions

The Right to Bodily Autonomy: Do women have a right to Choose FGM/C & FGCS?

Annemarie Middelburg, Academic & Consultant, Middelburg Human Rights Consultancy

Refaat Karim, MD, Plastic surgeon, Expert in post-FGM reconstruction 

Women, Girls & Self-Harm—Tragic, Increasing, Often Invisible

Lois A. Herman, Managing Director, WUNRN

Following presentations by the speakers, there will be a moderated Q&A.

Registered attendees will be sent the access link to participate in the webinar on their web browser or via the Microsoft Teams app the day prior.

To register your place, please visit Eventbrite.