The Center for Political Participation hosted a powerful and eye-opening talk on female genital mutilation (FGM), a practice that affects millions of women and girls worldwide, during lunchtime in Quigley Hall on March 12. The event, led by Assistant Professor of Economics Aisha Yusuf of economics, drew a crowd of 54 attendees, including eight men and 45 women. The discussion shed light on the myths, realities and urgent need for awareness surrounding FGM, a topic often shrouded in silence and misunderstanding.
FGM, refers to the partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. It is a deeply rooted cultural practice in some communities, primarily in Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia. However, it is not confined to these regions; FGM also occurs in diaspora communities in the United States and Europe. According to Yusuf, over 230 million women and girls worldwide have undergone FGM, with devastating physical, psychological and emotional consequences.
The practice is often justified by cultural, religious or social norms, but it has no health benefits. Instead, it poses severe risks, including chronic pain, infections, complications during childbirth and even death. Despite global efforts to eradicate FGM, it persists due to deeply ingrained traditions and a lack of enforcement of anti-FGM laws.
Yusuf is an economist with a focus on African development, institutions and social norms. Yusuf, who is from Nigeria, shared her personal journey into researching FGM, which began during her PhD studies. “Interestingly enough, before my PhD, I had never heard of FGM before,” Yusuf said. “The topic came about spontaneously. I was talking to my mom, and she mentioned something she saw on the news about FGM. I was shocked and curious. The more I researched, the more I realized how widespread and devastating this practice is.”
Yusuf’s research explores the cultural and economic factors that perpetuate FGM and seeks solutions to eliminate the practice. Her passion for the topic was evident as she debunked myths, shared harrowing statistics and emphasized the importance of education and respectful dialogue in combating FGM.
The event was held on Allegheny College’s campus, organized in collaboration with the CPP. The talk took place in a packed room, with students, faculty and community members eager to learn about a topic many had never encountered before. The diverse audience reflected the growing interest in understanding global human rights issues, even those that may seem distant or unfamiliar.
FGM is not just a women’s issue; it is a human rights issue. As Yusuf explained, the practice violates the rights to health, security and physical integrity. It perpetuates gender inequality and has lifelong consequences for survivors. Olivia Colflesh, ’26, a political science and history double major, echoed this sentiment. “Something I took away from the talk was that it’s not just a women’s issue — it’s a human rights issue,” Coflesh said. “I think something we can do going forward is encourage more male students to engage with topics like this. These issues may seem gendered, but they affect everyone.”
Gabriel Saccoccio, ’27, a computer science major with an economics minor, also emphasized the importance of awareness. “FGM is something most people aren’t aware of, but it’s a very serious problem that’s still present in society,” Saccoccio said. “I think the average person can raise awareness in their social circles and take a stand against it.”
One of the most striking aspects of Yusuf’s talk was her emphasis on the challenges of addressing FGM.
“The hardest part is thinking about the experiences of the 230 million women and girls who have undergone this practice,” Yusuf said. “The pain, the bleeding, the long-term health consequences — it’s heartbreaking. But it’s not all gloom. There have been successes, like in Senegal, where entire communities have abandoned the practice.”
Yusuf also highlighted the importance of respectful dialogue when addressing FGM. “The goal is to end the practice, not to condemn entire cultures,” Yusuf said. “We need to approach this from a place of understanding, not superiority. Some communities have created alternative rites of passage that preserve cultural traditions without the harmful practice of FGM. This shows that change is possible.”
Education is a powerful tool in the fight against FGM. Yusuf stressed the importance of raising awareness and fostering conversations about the practice.
“Many people at the talk told me they had never heard of FGM before,” Yusuf said. “That’s why events like this are so important. They plant a seed — whether it’s for further research, advocacy, or simply spreading the word.”
For students like Colflesh and Saccoccio, the talk was a call to action.
“I think as a campus, we need to encourage more male students to engage with issues like this,” Colflesh said. “It’s not just a women’s issue; it’s a human issue.”
Saccoccio, spoke about how to begin the battle against FGM.
“Raising awareness is the first step,” Saccoccio said. “We need to talk about this more and take a stand against it.”
Despite the grim realities of FGM, Yusuf’s talk ended on a hopeful note. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share her research and emphasized the importance of collective action.
“My hope is that this talk has planted a seed in the audience,” Yusuf said. “Whether it’s through research, advocacy, or simply having conversations, we can all play a role in ending this practice.”
The event FGM event held by Yusuf was a reminder of the power of education and dialogue in addressing global challenges. By shedding light on FGM, Yusuf and the CPP have taken a crucial step toward creating a world where no girl or woman has to endure the pain and trauma of this practice.
Yusuf’s hope is the talk will inspire people for the future.
“Ending FGM is not just about protecting the current generation — it’s about ensuring a safer, healthier future for generations to come.”
