It’s early morning in the village where Batula and her parents live, and as is the norm, everyone is woken up by the call for prayer. As early as thirty minutes past seven, her grandmother shows up carrying concoctions and some herbs. Batula asks her grandmother what those things are used for: “This will help you heal faster after transforming you into a woman”. This is a seven-year-old girl who is supposed to be playing but something horrendous is about to happen to her.
For decades, thousands of women have perpetrated, perpetuated, and been punished by female genital mutilation. When Batula witnessed young females, between the ages of 7 and 15, bursting into their home with their parents, she became perplexed. All of these girls will be subjected to this gruesome activity. The fact that it happens to a child makes it one of the worst nightmares that any woman may experience.
Besides the horrendous pain that Batula will go through, her emotional and mental health will also be damaged. She could even develop mental health issues such as Body Dysmorphic Disorder, a condition many victims of FGM experience and which is characterized by a distressing obsession with flaws in one’s appearance, leading to excessive self-criticism and lack of self-esteem.
When the moment arrives the circumciser asks Batula “Open your legs young girl” Tears cascading her soft cheeks, not understanding what they are doing to her. She tries to escape but she is held by two ladies, her mother and her aunt. Each holding one of her feeble legs. Batula retaliates until they put a piece of cloth in her mouth to stop her from screaming. She faces the knife, and an important part of her body is now among the trash that the stray cats look out for. The same process is repeated for up to 10 young girls, some of them willing because of the lectures given by their older aunts and their mothers about the matter.
Mental health is one of the crucial topics of our generation and is, in fact, one area that should be given greater attention. Batula’s community does not recognize mental health at all. According to them, depression does not exist. One can literally be at their lowest, and one of their own family members would comfortably say “She has demons”. “She is possessed”. This is one of the things FGM does to a young girl. It destroys her mental health as well, and it kills her will to exist on this earth. At her age, Batula is supposed to be enjoying her childhood just as normal children in the world do, but sadly, that is not the case for many young girls like her, who are forced to “act like women” at that age. “Sit upright, aren’t you a girl?” is one of the constant phrases you are likely to hear in such a household.
A few years later another ordeal befalls Batula, she is defiled by her uncle at the age of 10 in their own home and the issue is solved by a group of elderly men. This is known as “maslaha” and is the main perpetrator of the crimes committed against girls in Batula’s community. In her community crimes such as defilement and rape are not taken to court because they believe that such issues will bring shame to the community, they, therefore, invite the elders of the community, and money is paid by the perpetrator of the crime or they marry off the victim to the perpetrator and in Batula’s case the council of elders decided to marry her off to the perpetrator of the crime when she becomes older.
With this kind of unstable mind, Batula will turn 15, and she will be “ready” to get married off to one of the uncles who defiled her at the age of 10. At the age of 15, she is forced into marriage, and worse, she is married to someone who committed a crime against her. She is now forced to coexist with someone who wronged her, and society makes this feel right. Batula’s childhood has been snatched from her, and as if that was not enough, she will now spend her teenage years as a wife to a man three times her age. At that tender age, she is obligated to act as a wife and to cater to ‘wifely duties’. At the age of 17, Batula most probably will become a mother; she is supposed to take care of children, and because Batula is not aware of the crimes committed against her due to a lack of education, her children would go through the same path of life.
Education is the solution. It is the only tool that can demystify such destructive cultural habits. Education that will prioritize the younger generation, particularly young girls like Batula. With education, Batula would be able to understand the distinction between religion and culture, she would be aware of her rights as a girl, and contribute to change by promoting education in the children she raises.
I am a survivor of Female Genital Mutilation and I believe if my parents went to school and were educated this could have been prevented. I had the opportunity to go to school and learn a lot and with that, I am not taking this gruesome activity to my generation. As a young girl who grew up in a marginalized community education has changed how I see things and would advocate for education for young girls like Batula. Educating young girls like Batula could save a whole generation from the FGM pandemic.
By: Ikran (Young Kenyan Advocate for Child Rights)
The post From Victim to Advocate: Breaking the Cycle of FGM appeared first on Arigatou International.
Home improvement is the modification of a home to improve living conditions and often involves adding new rooms or changing existing ones. It also includes making repairs to the structure of a home or installing equipment like appliances, heating and cooling systems, plumbing fixtures and electrical wiring. This industry is driven by consumer spending on remodeling and improvements that add functionality and beauty to a house or apartment. The market is also supported by manufacturers of building materials and suppliers of labor, tools and accessories for home improvement projects.
Home improvements can be very expensive, so it’s important to plan carefully before you start any projects. It’s also a good idea to look for financing options to help you pay for your projects. There are several types of loans available, including secured loans and home equity lines of credit. These loans can offer low interest rates and are backed by your home, so you may be able to get better terms than you would with an unsecured loan.
Almost half of homeowners are planning to tackle at least one home improvement project over the next two years, according to a new NerdWallet survey. While many of these improvements are small, a significant number of homeowners are considering bigger-ticket projects, such as remodeling the kitchen or bathroom.
The most popular projects among homeowners are painting, replacing light fixtures and upgrading floors, furniture and appliances. These improvements are not only cost-effective but can also increase the value of a property. In addition, they can be a great way to make a house more comfortable and inviting for the family.
Some of these projects are easier to accomplish than others, and homeowners should consider the return on investment when choosing what to do. Home improvement experts recommend that you invest in projects that will yield the most value for your home and contribute to its long-term function and performance.
Although some homeowners have put their pricier home improvement plans on hold during the pandemic, there is pent-up demand for upgrades, said Joe Derochowski, a home industry adviser with market data firm Circana. He expects that many homeowners will revisit their pricier projects later this year as prices stabilize and the economy improves.
Homeowners are modifying their homes in order to accommodate lifestyle changes and increase their comfort and efficiency. In fact, most of the changes they’re making are aimed at improving their lifestyles rather than increasing the resale value of their homes. Some of these improvements include adding a bedroom, changing the floor plan, remodeling the bathroom and installing new kitchen appliances.
Before a homeowner decides to do any work on their home, they should know the difference between home improvement and renovation. The former refers to a repair, maintenance or remodeling job that is intended to improve the condition of a home while the latter involves any alteration or expansion of the original property.
When it comes to choosing the right contractor for a home improvement project, it is crucial to do some research and find out who has worked with whom in the past. It is also recommended to read reviews and ask for references. Moreover, it is essential to ensure that the contractors have insurance in case they are injured or cause any damage to your home during the project.
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Entertaiment is a form of amusement and pleasure, and it often has a social value. Whether it is as simple as a dinner party arranged for two, or an elaborate banquet with music and dance for thousands, entertainment fulfills a fundamental need in society.
It is a cultural phenomenon and has a powerful impact on the emotional and psychological well-being of individuals. It is a broad concept that encompasses various forms of entertainment such as art, literature, music, video games, movies and television. The familiar forms of entertainment have demonstrated a great ability to cross over different media and adapt to the needs of different audiences. Click on the arrows in the column of your choice to see related collocations. Alternatively, use the search box below.
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An automobile is a vehicle for travel that has four wheels and is powered by an engine. It can carry a number of people and their luggage, and can travel on roads and other surfaces. It can also go places that are not accessible by other wheeled transportation like buses, bicycles or trains (steam-powered, diesel-powered or passenger trains). There are a variety of styles of automobiles: sedans, coupes, hatchbacks, station wagons and SUVs. Automobiles are also made in different sizes and materials. They can be powered by petrol, diesel or gas, and are used for different purposes. There are even some special automobiles for different needs such as fire cars, ambulances or patrol cars.
Automobiles are one of the most significant inventions in human history. They gave people a great deal of personal freedom, and they brought with them many new industries and services. Automobiles make it possible to travel far distances in a short amount of time, and they can take people to work, school, shopping or visiting friends and relatives.
The early automobiles were often steam or electrically powered, but they had many disadvantages compared to today’s models. For example, they were usually slower than walking or riding a bike. They were also noisy and dangerous, and they did not have features that are now standard in most vehicles, such as seat belts, windshields or rearview mirrors.
After the invention of the internal combustion engine, automobiles developed rapidly. The first models were built in the late 1700s and early 1800s. They were expensive and polluting, but they became more affordable and safe as the technology improved.
As the automobile became more popular, many governments passed laws to regulate its use and to ensure safety for passengers. This led to the development of highways, traffic lights and safety equipment. Some countries even banned the automobile entirely, but most did not.
Automobiles can cause problems when too many of them are used in the same area, such as in cities. The noise from all these vehicles can disrupt people’s lives and make it difficult to concentrate. Air pollution from automobiles can be harmful to human health, and it is partly responsible for climate change. The exhaust from gasoline and diesel-powered automobiles can also pollute the environment.
In addition to these problems, automobiles can also be very expensive to maintain and repair. They can also damage property or hurt people if they crash into it. The most serious problem is that they can kill people if they are traveling at high speeds. When this happens, the driver and any passengers can be injured or killed, and the automobile itself can be damaged. In addition, the owners of automobiles can become liable for damages and prosecution. For these reasons, people should try to limit their use of automobiles.
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A space in a computer or other device in which a particular type of object can be stored. Also, the term may refer to a position within a group or sequence of events.
The slot machine is a popular form of casino entertainment that uses reels and symbols to generate winning combinations. Players insert cash or, in “ticket-in, ticket-out” machines, a paper ticket with a barcode into a designated slot on the machine to activate it. The machine then displays the paytable and pays out credits based on the combination of symbols. Symbols vary by game but classic symbols include fruits, bells, and stylized lucky sevens.
While many strategies exist for increasing your chances of winning at slot, it is important to remember that luck plays a significant role in the outcome of each spin. Therefore, it is essential to choose a machine that you enjoy playing and stick to your bankroll management plan. You should never spend more than you can afford to lose, and playing less frequently will help prevent over-gambling.
It is also helpful to avoid choosing a single machine as your favorite. By doing so, you risk becoming emotionally attached to the machine and will be less likely to leave when it stops paying out. In addition, you may end up gambling more than you intended or even run out of money before your luck turns around.
Another important tip is to test the payout of a machine before you start playing. Many people think that if a machine hasn’t paid out for a while it is “loose.” However, this is not true. Random number generators (RNGs) determine the results of each spin, and while there is an equal chance for any result, some results are more common than others.
In order to test a machine, you can try a few spins and then count how many credits you have bet. You can then divide this by your initial bankroll in credits to find out the percentage of your original bankroll that you have returned. This will help you decide whether or not a machine is worth continuing to play.
Many experienced gamblers recommend that new players play multiple machines at once. This is based on the belief that loose machines are often situated next to tight ones, and by spreading out your gambling capital you can increase your chances of finding a loose machine. This strategy can be difficult to master, however, and it is crucial to practice good bankroll management. This includes setting time limits for gaming sessions and taking frequent breaks. This will help you keep track of your wins and losses and stay in control of your gambling budget. It will also ensure that you have a fun and enjoyable experience.
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