Director Kim Longinotto
Country/Production UK
Release 2002
Length 92 mins
Format Colour / DVD or VHS / PAL / All region
Location Kenya / Africa
Ethnic Group African
Collection Kim Longinotto
Comments Consultants: Fardhose Ali Mohamed, Eunice Munanie N'Daisi Kwinga
Order No RAI-200.329
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The documentary explores the local dimensions of the female circumcision debate in Kenyan societies. In a region of Kenya that is home to Muslims, Massai and Somali and crosscut by Christian evangelists, recently passed legislation makes it illegal for a girl to be circumcised without first consenting to the procedure. The film begins with Fardhosa a nurse on a tireless campaign to open people's eyes to the dangers of circumcision, both physical and mental. Next, Simalo, a Maasai runaway girl returns from Nairobi to confront her mother, who was responsible for her mutilation and young marriage. Finally the film shows how a group of Marakwet schoolgirls have successfully challenged their parents and centuries-old tradition in a court of law.
