In the Name of Tradition
A Comprehensive Research Study on Female Genital Mutilation / Cutting (FGM/C) in Iran
Farsi Publication: Shirazeh/ 2015
English Publication: Un-Cut/Voices Press, UK 2015
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Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a long-standing ritual that continues to be widespread today. It is a violation of various aspects of women’s sexual rights, and the term ‘female genital mutilation’ is a more realistic reference than ‘female cutting’, which has gained traditional legitimacy. Sometimes the term used is ‘female genital mutilation / cutting’ (FGM/C).
Various factors influence the beliefs, norms, attitudes, and political and economic systems contributing to this tradition. There are some studies on the prevalence of genital mutilation in Iran, but they have only a limited range. This comprehensive study over several years examined, analyses and scrutinizes the practice of female genital mutilation in Iran and shows that FGM is prevalent in the four provinces of West Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, Kermanshah and Hormozgan. The study seeks to lay the foundation for a comprehensive plan in Iran to combat female genital mutilation, training and raising awareness, to incorporate it into the global eradication agenda.
The findings of this research are important from two perspectives: first, they provide the foundation for future studies and research in Iran, which is very necessary, and develop a framework for increasing awareness that female genital mutilation continues. More broadly,, this research also challenges the belief that the prevalence of this practice is only limited to Africa. It provides clear evidence that women and girls’ genital mutilation is found in the Middle East, in areas of Asia and specifically in some provinces of Iran, in addition to Africa. Revealing this fact will help Iranian society and international human rights advocacy committees to engage in dialogue with the stakeholders in Iran to fight against it.
The recommendations of this research have been published in both Farsi and English and can be effective for local communities. The research provides for the first-time access to much reliable and up-to-date data on the continuation of female genital mutilation/cutting in Iran, providing information for the government, NGOs and various individuals. The research findings also address issues around female genital mutilation in Iran for global assemblies such as the United Nations and UNICEF, and may even lead to recommendations from international organizations that address this issue.
The author of this book, Kameel Ahmady, first encountered a region where female genital mutilation/cutting was prevalent during his studies and whilst undertaking some charitable work in Africa. FGM was his main motivation for conducting the studies, returning to Iran where FGM was discovered by him in his own family. The research took several years to complete.
Two years after the publication of his first research on female genital mutilation/cutting, Kameel Ahmady returned to the identified locations with his research team. During this time, he began to enlighten and educate local people face to face about female genital mutilation/cutting.
Kameel Ahmady wanted to gauge the impact of education on reducing the prevalence of female genital mutilation/cutting in the studied areas; his new report on 2016 suggested that education via pilot programmes had led to a significant decrease in female genital mutilation/cuttings.
The report, titled The Changing Paradigms of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting, was published as an appendix to the book, In the Name of Tradition.
Kameel Ahmady has also produced an eponymous documentary film (In the Name of Tradition), produced during field work on female genital mutilation. It has been broadcast on numerous television programs and various festivals outside of Iran.
Changing community attitudes, raising the awareness of the physical, sexual and psychological harms of female genital mutilation/cutting, rural migration to cities, the deaths of traditional Bebis (old women who perform FGM) with lack interest from younger generation to take on their place and an unwillingness to continue this work, The impacts of social networks and media have also been key factors in a reduction in the rate of female genital mutilation/cutting in recent years.
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Online shopping book link:
In the Name of Tradition, Kameel Ahmady, English version, UnCUT/Voices Press
In the Name of Tradition, Kameel Ahmady, English version, Amazon
Summary link PDF version of the research, In the Name of Tradition
Link PDF version of the research (in Farsi)
In the Name of Tradition, Kameel Ahmady, Shirazeh Publishing (in Farsi)
In the Name of Tradition, Kameel Ahmady, Online Book City (Farsi)
Film of “In the Name of Tradition”:
In the name of tradition, the first documentary film on female genital mutilation in Iran
In the Name of Tradition (Female Genital Mutilation in Iran – film by Kameel Ahmady)
Film review: “In the name of tradition” – FGM in Iran
Media coverage:
Reuters: Anthropologist reveals FGM practised in western, southern Iran
Guardian: Female genital mutilation practised in Iran, study reveals
Kameel Ahmady—British-Iranian Anthropologist Arrested in Iran
Scotsman: World needs to shout about scholars silenced by the state
Mena: Iran nimmt weiteren Doppelstaatsbürger als Geisel für Verhandlungen
No FGM: Kameel Ahmady: Female Genital Mutilation In Iran (A Research Report)
Film review: “In the name of tradition” – FGM in Iran
Volkskrant: Unicef onderschat ernst besnijdenis in Iran
A review of the book “In the Name of Tradition – Female Genital Mutilation in Iran” par Kameel Ahmady
Award ceremony at George Washington University: A Mini United Nations Convenes In Washington, D.C.
IKWRO the True Honour Awards 2017 at Law University, London
BanFGM Conference on the worldwide ban on female genital mutilation
Rudaw: Study reveals shocking FGM prevalence in Iran
Defend Democracy: Human right report
News week: Female genital mutilation performed in Iran
UN: Report of the UN watch of FGM in Iran
Rights in Exile: FGM/C Country of Origin Experts for Iran
Video and TV Interviews:
Interview with the program, In other words, the BBC Persian
Take a look at the film “In the Name of Tradition” in the apparatus, BBC Persian
Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting and Child Marriage in Iran: Interview with the BBC
Looking at the film “In the Name of Tradition” in the apparat, BBC Persian
Interview with IRNA; Reduce female circumcision statistics
Song: A Song from one to a Thousand, by Chiman Rahmani. Advisor and Sponsor: Kameel Ahmady
Interview with Rudow TV channel about female genital mutilation
Iran International: World Day against Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting
Macholand Live Chat: Kameel Ahmady
Media coverage (in Farsi):
Sexual Retribution / Female Genital Mutilation in Iran! / Kameel Ahmady
VOA: Sexual Mutilation of Girls and Women in Iran
Deutsche Welle: Victims of female genital mutilation more than speculation
Radio Farda: Reduction of the Statistic of Female Circumcision and Government Responsibility
Radio Zamaneh: Genital Mutilation/Cutting; a blade that has injured 200 million women worldwide
Kayhan London: New research on female circumcision and underage marriage in Iran
Deutsche Welle: There is no policy to end female circumcision or genital mutilation in Iran
BBC: Results of a study: Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting is performed in four provinces of Iran
International: 50% reduction of Female Genital Mutilation in Hormozgan
Safe House: Violence in the name of tradition
National Key: Review of the book “Women and Tradition” by Kameel Ahmady
Kurdish Press: Female genital mutilation is not recognized in Iranian law
Today’s culture: “In the name of tradition”, a comprehensive research on female circumcision in Iran
Zeytoon: Slowing down the “razor of tradition” on women
Women’s Today Magazine: In the Name of Tradition (Research on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting)
Today’s approach: Female circumcision; violence in the name of tradition
Health News: Ministry of Health addresses female Genital Mutilation/Cutting issue
Awakening: Female circumcision in Iran, a silent tragedy
Event 24: the prevalence of female genital mutilation/cutting in the southern regions of Hormozgan
Fararo: Reduction of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in Iran
Didar News: The violence “in the name of tradition”
Afghanistan Women’s News Agency: Result of a study: Women’s circumcision in Iran is declining