Full Breakdown
Sara Kahsai’s painful discovery of female genital mutilation after moving to the UK
By Drooid · · How we work
Discovery of Female Genital Mutiliation (FGM) experience
Sara Kahsai, who grew up in Sudan and relocated to Birmingham, England, in 2022 after marrying a local bus driver, recently realized that she had undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) as a child. The revelation came as she began to understand the chronic pain she was experiencing, which she had previously attributed to other causes.
Personal and marital impact
Kahsai described the shock of the discovery as overwhelming and said it strained her physical intimacy with her husband. She noted that, despite the difficulty, her husband responded with patience and kindness, helping her navigate the new reality of her condition.
Cultural explanation from her mother
Seeking answers, Kahsai confronted her mother, who remains in Africa, about who had arranged the procedure. Her mother explained that the practice was a cultural norm applied to all girls in their community, stating that Kahsai was a baby when it was performed. After hearing her daughter’s distress, the mother expressed remorse and apologized for the harm caused.
Broader context of FGM
FGM is a traditional practice in parts of Sudan and other regions, carried out on young girls under the premise of cultural conformity. Survivors often discover the long-term physical and psychological effects only after moving to countries where the practice is illegal and medical support is more accessible. Kahsai’s story highlights the personal toll of the procedure and the challenges faced by diaspora families confronting cultural traditions that conflict with the legal and health standards of their new homes.