I put it on my face and physique, mentioned a witch physician who would smear himself with a “magic” potion made out of the clitoris of a lady subjected to feminine genital mutilation in West African nation of Ivory Coast.
“I wished to be an enormous chief, I wished to dominate,” Moussa Diallo, who requested to not be addressed by his actual identify, instructed AFP.
For about three years, Diallo, who now campaigns in opposition to FGM, utilized this potion to his face and physique each few months, believing it might assist him obtain energy and affect.
In a number of areas of Ivory Coast, genitalia eliminated throughout unlawful “circumcision” ceremonies are used to create “love potions” or magical ointments. These substances are believed by some to grant monetary success or political development, defined Labe Gneble, head of the Nationwide Organisation for Girls, Kids and the Household (ONEF).
‘Black powder‘: Floor-up clit offered for over $170
A ground-up clitoris can fetch as much as $170—an quantity equal to the month-to-month earnings of many Ivorian households.
Describing the method, Diallo mentioned, “After they would minimize the clitorises they’d dry them for a month or two then pound them with stones,” the top consequence being a “black powder.”
He added that it might be blended with “leaves, roots and bark” or shea butter usually utilized in cosmetics.
The genitalia may very well be offered for about “100,000 CFA Francs (152 euros) if the woman was a virgin,” or “65,000 CFA Francs (99 euros) if she had already given delivery.” Alternatively, it may very well be traded for items and companies, he mentioned.
Feminine circumcision has been practiced throughout varied religions in West Africa for hundreds of years, sometimes carried out on women between childhood and adolescence.
Many households view it as a ceremony of passage or a method to regulate and suppress feminine sexuality.
Unicef condemns this observe, describing it as a extreme violation of women’ elementary rights and a harmful act.
“I wished to be an enormous chief, I wished to dominate,” Moussa Diallo, who requested to not be addressed by his actual identify, instructed AFP.
For about three years, Diallo, who now campaigns in opposition to FGM, utilized this potion to his face and physique each few months, believing it might assist him obtain energy and affect.
In a number of areas of Ivory Coast, genitalia eliminated throughout unlawful “circumcision” ceremonies are used to create “love potions” or magical ointments. These substances are believed by some to grant monetary success or political development, defined Labe Gneble, head of the Nationwide Organisation for Girls, Kids and the Household (ONEF).
‘Black powder‘: Floor-up clit offered for over $170
A ground-up clitoris can fetch as much as $170—an quantity equal to the month-to-month earnings of many Ivorian households.
Describing the method, Diallo mentioned, “After they would minimize the clitorises they’d dry them for a month or two then pound them with stones,” the top consequence being a “black powder.”
He added that it might be blended with “leaves, roots and bark” or shea butter usually utilized in cosmetics.
The genitalia may very well be offered for about “100,000 CFA Francs (152 euros) if the woman was a virgin,” or “65,000 CFA Francs (99 euros) if she had already given delivery.” Alternatively, it may very well be traded for items and companies, he mentioned.
Feminine circumcision has been practiced throughout varied religions in West Africa for hundreds of years, sometimes carried out on women between childhood and adolescence.
Many households view it as a ceremony of passage or a method to regulate and suppress feminine sexuality.
Unicef condemns this observe, describing it as a extreme violation of women’ elementary rights and a harmful act.
