Grades 10-12, College, Adult
Directed by Irene Zikusoka and Charlotte Metcalf
DVD Purchase $79, Rent $45
US Release Date: 1997
Copyright Date: 1996
DVD ISBN: 1-59458-857-0
VHS ISBN: 1-56029-709-3
Subjects
African Studies
Anthropology
Developing World
Female Genital Mutilation
Gender Issues
Gender Studies
Health
Human Rights
Humanities
Religion
Reproductive Rights
Social Justice
Social Psychology
Women's Studies
The Cutting Edge
Uganda
Ugandan project attempts to change attitudes about female genital mutilation.
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"Very powerful and very moving." Dr. June Goodfield, International Health and Biomedicine |
"After circumcising there's a lot of bleeding and pain," recalls Rose. "You're not supposed to release it out...you have to swallow all that pain."
Around the world 100 million women have been subjected to female genital mutilation. Hundreds die annually as a result. Many more are left permanently crippled. This film examines a new project in Uganda called REACH, which aims to persuade people that it is possible to retain all the ritual and cultural celebration of welcoming young girls into womanhood, by substituting the giving of a symbolic gift for the actual cutting.
Other titles in the series are:
Mothers of Malappuram - Literacy and access to health services slow population growth in India.
Land of Widows - A midwife in post civil war Cambodia helps other poor women with health services.
On the Way - A new sex education project in Peru combats teenage pregnancy.
Fighting Back - Women in Bosnia are rebuilding war-torn lives.
Invisible Garments, Expensive Soles - Nike and other multinationals are moving production to developing countries like Indonesia.
Reviews
"Provide(s) an interesting wide-angle snapshot of various women's health and welfare issues in developing countries, and would be a useful discussion opener in classrooms, or a suitable addition to larger public and academic collections interested in women's and/or population studies."