ABSTRACT
The advent of online social media has propelled Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) survivors into cyberspace, turning them into so-called cyberactivists or hashtag activists and giving them direct access to millions of Internet users worldwide. Waris Dirie's narrative tells the familiar story of young girls and women falling prey to FGM, often behind closed doors, with the acquiescence of close family and community members and hidden away from public scrutiny. Somali-born Ayaan Hirsi Ali is an FGM survivor, international award-winning human rights activist and the Founder of the Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s Foundation, which campaigns for women's rights and freedom of speech. A high-profile Gambian-American anti-FGM activist, Jaha mapenzi Dukureh is a survivor both of FGM and forced marriage. Leyla Hussein is an award-winning anti-FGM activist and survivor who have long campaigned to eradicate the practice among UK-based Diasporas. Of the documentary, Hussein said that The Cruel Cut gave 'a voice' to many survivors who were otherwise afraid to speak out.
