The Cutting Tradition (Narrated by Meryl Streep)

Screenings:
SHORTS: Short Docs (1): About Family, Life & Tradition
Monday, Sept 6 at 10:00am (Muvico Baywalk 20)
SHORTS: Short Docs 3 — People & Culture
Saturday, Sept 11 at 4:00pm (Muvico Baywalk 20)

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The Cutting Tradition (Health/Social/ Women’s Issues Documentary, 47 mins — Ethiopia, United Kingdom, Burkina Faso, Djibouti, Egypt) This moving and sensitive documentary highlights, in a non judgemental way, the complex social, religious, cultural and economic issues which underpin the ongoing practice of female genital mutilation, or FGM. This film deliberately raises questions that are critical in understanding why FGM continues to be very common to this day in both rich and poor communities, despite being illegal in many countries of origin. It is estimated that up to 140 million women and girls have already undergone some form of female genital mutilation with a further three million added annually. Filmed in five countries, Burkina Faso, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia and the UK. Narrated by Meryl Streep.

Medium Synopsis
The Cutting Tradition: Insights into female genital mutilation
narrated by Meryl Streep
This moving and sensitive documentary highlights, in a non judgemental way, the complex social, religious, cultural and economic issues which underpin the ongoing practice of female genital mutilation, or FGM.
FGM is the partial or total removal of the female external genitalia. Its justification is that it is an important initiation which reinforces virginity, chastity, purity, marriageability and fidelity.
The film deliberately raises questions that are critical in understanding why FGM continues to be very common to this day in both rich and poor communities, despite being illegal in many countries of origin.
FGM is practised in about 30 countries, including parts of West, East and Central Africa, some parts of the Middle East and South Asia. It is estimated that up to 140 million women and girls have already undergone some form of female genital mutilation with a further three million added annually. Migration has brought these women into contact with health professionals who often do not understand the cultural significance of the tradition.
In 2008 the United Nations released a statement – ‘Eliminating Female Genital Mutilation’ – and called for its eradication within a generation. Ten agencies – OHCHR, UNAIDS, UNDP, UNECA, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNIFEM and WHO – supported this announcement, and their position echoed by numerous NGOs and professional health and rights associations the world over.
The film was shot in five counties: Burkina Faso, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia and the UK.