Listening to African Voices - FPZ

society and to seclude themselves from the host society. Accordingto them, all Africans had heard about the court casesin France in which practitioners of FGM/C were condemnedto prison. Besides, the French integration politics of the pastdecade have worsened the living situation of many Africanimmigrants and made them feel rejected and unwelcome. Asa consequence, a parallel society has emerged in certain bigcities of France in which African stick to each other and findways of practicing their traditions, including FGM/C, withoutbeing reached by the law.A key reason for the non-existence of FGM/C in Hamburgis, thus, the small size of the immigrant communities: thesmaller a community is, the less likely it becomes isolatedfrom the rest of the society. Some key informants concludedthat FGM/C is not taking place in Germany yet. If the communitiesstarted to grow and if their level of integrationdecreased, the same phenomenon as in France would commence:once one family starts, others will follow.“It is also a matter of integration. As long as people stayisolated among themselves, there is a possibility that doorswill be opened for practicing FGM/C. We as Africans, wetry to open up to the Europeans, but they don’t grant usaccess to their society. Their world is closed to us. Thatmakes people think: ‘We are not respected. It is betterto stick to our own people.’ So we stay among ourselvesand this type of idea fl ourishes. If one person tries tocircumcise a girl and it works out, it will encourage othersto follow and do the same. I think if people feel acceptedand when they are integrated, they can find the strengthto let go of their traditions. But everywhere where thecommunity is closed to the outside world, it [FGM/C] canalways happen. This is what we have observed in France.There [in France], the Africans have decided ‘let’s keepour culture, let’s practice female circumcision’ and it worksout. (key informant of Ivorian origin)5.7.2.2. No culture of denunciationKey informants also affirm that the respect for traditions andthe rule not to interfere in family matters make it extremelyunlikely that a member of the African community wouldreport a case to the German authorities. Any African handingover private information about another African familyto the Germans would risk severe sanctions in his/her owncommunity. This is why even strong opponents among theimmigrants of FGM/C would not consider denouncing afamily who is planning to subject a daughter to FGM/C. Thisattitude puts girls at risk of being subjected to the practice.“Tradition is something very important. That is why noone could simply prohibit a tradition. Generally, the Ghanaiansare against it [FGM/C]. But no one would interfereeither. Even here in Germany, no one would dare to puttheir oar in other people’s traditions. Even if Ghanaianswere informed about a planned circumcision of a girl, noone would denounce it to the Jugendamt [Social Affairs]or the police. A family trying to interfere could be in greatdanger. Interfering is taboo.” (key information from a nonpracticingcommunity in Ghana)5.7.2.3. Perceived sexual debauchery and immorality ofwomen in EuropeAs described in sub-section 5.4, many immigrants considerthe decrease of promiscuous behaviour in women asa benefit of FGM/C. The preservation of virginity beforemarriage and of faithfulness during wedlock are crucial tomost African Muslim immigrants – men and women alike.Upon arrival in Germany, the immigrants start observing andexperiencing the attitudes and sexual practices of women inEurope. Many of the Muslim participants perceive that girlsin Europe become involved in sexual activities too early andthat most European women are unfaithful and promiscuous.When comparing the sexual practices in Europe with thoseof their country of origin, a lot of men jump to the conclusionthat girls and women who have undergone FGM/C areless likely to display sexually debauched behaviour. Whenthe immigrants experience the sexual practices of Europeanwomen, some tend to believe even more firmly in traditions,including FGM/C, than they did before coming to Europe.“When you look at life in Europe and how girls behave.People start having sex early. That really makes you thinkand it makes me sceptical.[…]. I am 80% against femalecircumcision, but 20% of me is in favour of it. Becausewhen you look at the women here, you see that theydon’t respect anything. It is total debauchery everywhere.That really makes you think about how Europeans thinkabout sex…” (man, Muslim, of Ivorian origin)“Personally, I think this practice has to stop. But while Ithink it necessary to be stopped, I am asking myself howwe could protect our African values and have women whoare not promiscuous. It is very important to every familythat the daughters not engage in immoral behaviour.”(man, Muslim, of Ivorian origin)“Who would not wish the greatest honour for his familywhich lies in the virginity of the daughter? That is honourfor us! The virginity of our girls and the faithfulness of ourwomen.[…]. And we have seen that circumcised womendon’t commit adultery. At least not as often as non-circumcisedwomen.” (key informant of Ivorian origin)Listening to African Voices 79