An entire school class of young girls in a Swedish private school has been genitally mutilated

[Adar]

Source in Swedish

NT has in a series of articles highlighted the hidden problem of femal genitial circumcision, how bewildered healthcare, schools, preschools and other authorities have been when it comes to discovering and taking care of girls and women who are living with the consequences of FGM. And especially how quiet it has been.


But the NT series and municipal training has made a difference. Since March, some 60 girls in Norrköping detected and will now get help in health care.


- Most success we have had in elementary school, says Petra Blom Andersson.


In a class with 30 girls all had undergone female genital mutilation. 28 of them had been subjected to the crudest form (Pharaonic) when the clitoris, inner and outer labia are cut off and where the vaginal then sewn together so only a small opening remains. The girls have been referred to the Youth Health Service, or women's clinic if they are slightly older.


- A girl had such severe menstrual pain that she had to be transported from the school by ambulance to the Women's Clinic, explains Petra Blom Andersson.


Girls who have severe symptoms are the easiest to detect. Recurring headaches and severe menstrual cramps are important signals. Many people avoid drinking to avoid having to go to the toilet often. Emptying the bladder can be very painful and take several hours.


All cases have been discovered through the school health services. Petra Blom Andersson sees it as proof that the education that all school nurses, counselors and school doctors have got to, among other things, recognize symptoms has been a successful investment.


- When it comes to high school, we face another problem. There are girls who are about to marry. A girl who was 18 years questioned why she would fix something she endured since she was six. The risk was otherwise great that she would not get married. But then, it's all about honor and there genital mutilation is part of the problem.

I am absolutely disgusted by these news and I think that they are a good example of how Sweden have completely failed to integrate new citizens to even the most basic norms necessary. In my experience Swedish society is dominated by an extreme naivety where we believe that our values and norms somehow are "normal" and that people from other cultures will just magically become "liberal-Swedish" if they are given citizenship and some government funding each month.

The problem is that with this mindset we have created close communities where immigrants live their lives exactly like in their homelands. But in Sweden and with the support of the Swedish government. Coming from a culture where female genital mutilation is common, this of course also mean that they will continue to conduct such mutilations.

[Roma_Victrix]

Aside from so-called "honor killings" of young women, this is truly the most horrific aspect of Islamic Middle Eastern culture. I'm a man, so I can't even imagine the pain they are in, but I'm assuming it is akin to having a kidney stone or someone cutting open your urethra and sewing it shut partially.

This was allowed to happen because of the nature of "private" schools. I would certainly hope this wouldn't fly at a public school in Sweden...

[Adar]

Aside from so-called "honor killings" of young women, this is truly the most horrific aspect of Islamic Middle Eastern culture. I'm a man, so I can't even imagine the pain they are in, but I'm assuming it is akin to having a kidney stone or someone cutting open your urethra and sewing it shut partially.

This was allowed to happen because of the nature of "private" schools. I would certainly hope this wouldn't fly at a public school in Sweden...

I can bet you 50-1 that the school in question most likely was dominated by Somalis. During the last few years we've also had several other scandals with poorly run Somali-run private schools so my guess is that this will turn out to be another such case.

[Visna]

I can bet you 50-1 that the school in question most likely was dominated by Somalis. During the last few years we've also had several other scandals with poorly run Somali-run private schools so my guess is that this will turn out to be another such case.

Surely a social democrat paradise like Sweden has measures in place to check up on what goes on in private schools before it gets out of hand so to speak? Is this a system failure in one case or are private schools in general left too much alone?

As for FGM, I really don't think anything will be more effective than education when it comes to eliminating such a harmful cultural practice. Ironic since the story is from a school, I know, but even simple things like learning about it's adverse effects will have a bigger impact than bans for example, which I think could even be detrimental because it can strengthen their resolve to continue; "resisting" as they would probably call it. Education could also help in making girls more valuable than simply producers of children or sources of labour. Because that's all they are in such communities. It's not an isolated issue, it needs to be looked at it in it's cultural and economic context, and education can help with all of that. Those girls have been cut, but hopefully their daughters won't be.

[Adar]

I tried an Independent (as in the newspaper) article and they hardly had any info but thanks. It's really hard to put measures against these incidents. No matter how much education there will still be people who will force their daughters to go through it. Any real measure you can put against it will face opposition for being racist.

Google translate has become insanely good for Swedish websites (machine learning for the win!) so I really encourage all English speakers to give it a go .

Regarding the efforts to stop this I really hope that other muslim communities in Sweden takes a leadership role as they themselves most likely will benefit from distancing themselves for this kind of practices but won't be attacked for being racist. I also hope that many members of the "anti racist" crowds are wise enough to keep their mouths shut rather than making public statements about being worried about racism as it just mean that the actual racists get a reason to claim that everyone except them doesn't care about gender mutilation.

Surely a social democrat paradise like Sweden has measures in place to check up on what goes on in private schools before it gets out of hand so to speak? Is this a system failure in one case or are private schools in general left too much alone?

I would say that Sweden is more "hippy liberal" than Social Democratic. Social Democracy require a high level of social control and a careful balancing act from politicians so that they do not over/under regulate sections of society.

In the 1970s we had gone from a very liberal (to clarify to other posters: ideological liberal, not what US residents call liberal) to a rich but highly regulated society. After the crisis at the start of the 1990s the pendelum swung the other way and the Social Democrats deregulated a lot of things (some good and some bad).

The school reforms are probably among the worst ones.

[PointOfViewGun]

Google translate has become insanely good for Swedish websites (machine learning for the win!) so I really encourage all English speakers to give it a go .

Regarding the efforts to stop this I really hope that other muslim communities in Sweden takes a leadership role as they themselves most likely will benefit from distancing themselves for this kind of practices but won't be attacked for being racist.

That's one view that is shared by many. I don't think any Muslim has the responsibility to speak up against such issues. People often say "Where are all the moderate Muslims speaking out?" all the time about many bad things that some Muslims do. I don't believe in collective guilt or responsibility. This is a cultural issue that needs to be resolved from within. Say, any Turkish Muslim speaking against it won't do anything to Somalians that practice it. You need Somalian parents to speak out. Maybe empower Somalian mothers express themselves freely and anonymously about this issue.

[Toho]

its actually usually in the african continent that this sort of crap happens, Arabs and especially Iranians (shia) never partake in this sort of thing.
cant speak about the pakistani or afghans though, it might happen but again rarely and on the most extreme sorts of people.

[pajomife]

And what the problem?If you promote the multiculturalism in Europe you have to accept their culture.When they request any Stockholm square to stone any person you should provide is it and be sure that there are enough stones at hand. Is that they are more and more.

[Adar]

And what the problem?If you promote the multiculturalism in Europe you have to accept their culture.When they request any Stockholm square to stone any person you should provide is it and be sure that there are enough stones at hand. Is that they are more and more.

The problem is very clearly described in the OP (Swedish citizens are having their genitalia mutilated in accordance with barbaric practices). So I am instead going to point out the major problem of your argument.

"You" is completely undefined in your statement. I know that "I" haven't promoted multiculturalism and I think that most people who do consider themselves advocates of multiculturalismt are moderates who advocates a watered down and Westerly acceptable for of it. So it is hard to see who the "you" who should support stoning in Stockholm actually are.

[Davius]

And what the problem?If you promote the multiculturalism in Europe you have to accept their culture.When they request any Stockholm square to stone any person you should provide is it and be sure that there are enough stones at hand. Is that they are more and more.

Multiculturalism- worst idea ever.

[Winston Smith]

And what the problem?If you promote the multiculturalism in Europe you have to accept their culture.When they request any Stockholm square to stone any person you should provide is it and be sure that there are enough stones at hand. Is that they are more and more.

Multiculturalism does not mean we should ignore the law, or human rights, or so forth. Multiculturalism can go hand in hand with respect for human rights, with liberty, with femenism.

[Farnan]

Genital Mutilations for children should be considered child abuse, plain and simple. Doctors who perform such procedures should also be prosecuted for child abuse.

Once they turn 18 well its up to them as long as there is no physical coercion.

[Denny Crane!]

Genital Mutilations for children should be considered child abuse, plain and simple. Doctors who perform such procedures should also be prosecuted for child abuse.

Once they turn 18 well its up to them as long as there is no physical coercion.

You think its not possible then too? Aw bless.

[Farnan]

You think its not possible then too? Aw bless.

oh I have no illusions that people will try to force them to anyways, but if its illegal we can prosecute the s who do.

[Condottiere 40K]

It's a slippery slope: at some point, you'd have to outlaw circumcision for anyone under eighteen.

[I WUB PUGS]

It's a slippery slope: at some point, you'd have to outlaw circumcision for anyone under eighteen.

You probably should since the benefits for males are pretty marginal at best.

[GreyFox]

You probably should since the benefits for males are pretty marginal at best.

Unless you have phimosis, then it's a valid treatment.

[Kissaki]

It's a slippery slope: at some point, you'd have to outlaw circumcision for anyone under eighteen.

Would that be a problem?

If anything, that would help come to terms with female circumcision as well. Because cultures which practice circumcision do not view it as a big deal, and so arguments from the West - especially the American West - fail to impress them as male circumcision is left alone, which strikes them as hypocritical. In other words, so long as we do not flatly condemn all forms of circumcision (and we bloody well should), our words will carry little weight among cultures which are going to feel singled out.

[sumskilz]

Should be an interesting exercise trying to shame entire African communities into giving up an ancient cultural practice with religious overtones.

Should be easy enough to explain that our cultural values are superior. People tend to be pretty open to that sort of argument.

If anything, that would help come to terms with female circumcision as well. Because cultures which practice circumcision do not view it as a big deal, and so arguments from the West - especially the American West - fail to impress them as male circumcision is left alone, which strikes them as hypocritical. In other words, so long as we do not flatly condemn all forms of circumcision (and we bloody well should), our words will carry little weight among cultures which are going to feel singled out.

I think you might be projecting your own worldview on them a bit much, our words will carry little weight because they know we outright reject (even look down upon) beliefs and values they hold sacred.

[Kissaki]

I think you might be projecting your own worldview on them a bit much, our words will carry little weight because they know we outright reject (even look down upon) beliefs and values they hold sacred.

Blimey, I had no idea you knew me better than I know myself. I had no idea I had such a world view, thanks! Seriously, I think you are deliberately trying to insult me here rather than making an actual argument.