ABSTRACT
My chapter – FGM in the context of migration – deals with residents in Germany affected by FGM and the specific difficulties that arise in trying to end it. The research has revealed a plethora of issues faced by excision survivors in particular in Hamburg: somatic and psychological pain as well as problems in their marriages and sex lives. They are subject to patriarchal and sexualized violence, challenges to their right of residency (extensive asylum proceedings), and dependence on their husbands if they arrived under provisions for reuniting families. They have difficulties receiving training, are denied the opportunity to work, or once they are officially “suffered” to stay (“geduldet”), face problems integrating into work culture and, in general, overcoming barriers to integration, including learning German, dealing with authorities, looking for kindergarten spots or apartments, bucking racist discrimination, and more. Given these challenges, the fortitude, self-confidence, and chutzpah required to navigate services that exist, if in short supply, for FGM survivors in Germany explain why women from Africa are under-represented in campaigns to end FGM. There are exceptions, however. Several African-led women’s associations work in Hamburg like LESSAN e.V.; in Frankfurt: KONE NETWERK; MAISHA (the oldest and largest) and, founded in 1998, FORWARD for Women, e.V.
