Fatoumata’s Story: Becoming a Leader Against Female Cutting (Actual Names Changed at Woman’s Request)

Fatoumata moved to the South Bronx from Mali and had all four of her children at the CBC over a period of ten years. Her mother birthed her in the midwife’s home, as was common practice. She describes the practice of female genital cutting, which in her case was done as a baby. When she had her daughter at the CBC, she was concerned about sending her daughter home to visit her parents, for fear that they would have her circumcised also. Her midwife referred her to an African women’s group in Harlem that provided support and advocated against the practice. Fatoumata became a leader and spokesperson against the practice. Her husband became her main support person for her labors, a new and different practice from that done in Mali.