Five Fierce Humanists: Unapologetically Black Women Beyond Belief

by Dame Diongue

I want to share the three most important points I learned after reading this, and my own thoughts.

First, I saw that humanism is not only about leaving religion, but about caring for people and fighting for justice. Candace Gorham explained that even when she left God behind, her love for people remained, and she felt the call to act. This shows that the responsibility is on us, not a god, to make life better.

Second, Sikivu Hutchinson showed me that humanism must include fighting against racism, sexism, poverty, and violence. She made it clear that being humanist is not just about science or rejecting religion, but about standing with oppressed people in real struggles.

Third, Mandisa Thomas and others taught that community is very important. People who leave religion, especially Black women, need support and a place to belong. Humanist groups help give that strength and remind us we are not alone.

My thoughts: I agree with the writers. I also believe there is no god coming to solve our problems. If we want justice and a better life, it is up to us as human beings. I admire the courage of these women, because they speak openly and act boldly even when society pushes against them. Personally, I feel encouraged. Their stories show me that humanism is not only ideas in the mind, but action with the heart and hands.

Thank you for sharing this essay. It gave me strength and hope.

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Female Genital Mutilation: A Visual Reference and Overview” (AME Medical Journal).

by Dame Diongue

After reading Female Genital Mutilation: A Visual Reference and Overview, I want to share the three most important points I learned and my own thoughts.

First, I learned that FGM has no health benefit at all, only harm. The authors showed how it causes bleeding, infection, pain, childbirth problems, and sometimes death. They explained the four types of FGM and how each one damages a part of the female body. I never knew how deep the suffering goes, both physically and emotionally. It shocked me that such a harmful act is still happening in many places and even to very young girls. The authors made it clear that FGM is not a medical practice. It is a form of violence.

Second, I learned that doctors and nurses must be trained to help survivors with care and kindness. Many women who have gone through FGM feel ashamed or afraid to seek help. The authors said medical workers should not judge them but treat them with respect and empathy. I liked how the paper used clear explanations and pictures to guide doctors on how to repair the damage safely. It reminded me that kindness and skill together can heal not only the body but also the spirit.

Third, the authors warned against what they called “medicalization” of FGM. This happens when health workers perform the cutting in clinics thinking it makes it safer. The authors strongly said this is wrong. Making harm “clean” does not make it right. FGM in any form or setting is a violation of human rights. I respect them for saying this so firmly.

My thoughts: I fully agree with the writers. As a humanist, I believe every human being has the right to own their body and live without fear. FGM is cruel, and no religion or culture should defend it. I do not believe there is any god who wants this suffering. Only humans can stop it. Reading this paper made me angry at the pain caused but also hopeful that with education and compassion, we can change minds.

I also think prevention is as important as treatment. Doctors can repair damage, but the best healing is to stop FGM before it happens. This means more open talks in families, schools, and communities, especially with men and elders who support the tradition. As humanists, we must speak truth even when it is uncomfortable.

Thank you for sharing this essay. It reminded me that humanism is not just about reason, but also about caring deeply for others and standing up for those who cannot fight for themselves.

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Policy Brief on Cross-Border FGM – UNFPA ESARO

by Dame Diongue

After reading “Policy Brief on Cross-Border FGM,”.

I want to share the three most important points I learned and my own thoughts.

First, I learned that Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) continues to happen across borders in Africa even when it is banned in some countries. The report showed that when laws are made in one country, people sometimes travel secretly to another nearby country to continue the practice. This means that ending FGM is not just a national issue, it requires regional cooperation between countries, border officials, and community leaders. It reminded me that harmful traditions don’t stop just because of one country’s law; it takes a joint effort to change both minds and systems.

Second, I found it important that the report stressed the role of community awareness and education. It explained that most girls are cut because their families believe it is the right thing or a cultural duty. The brief encouraged involving traditional and religious leaders, health workers, and schools in changing these beliefs. I agree with this point because no law can succeed without understanding and trust within the community. Real change starts when people know the harm being done and choose to stop it themselves.

Third, I was struck by how the report called for protecting girls and women who cross borders to escape FGM. Many of them face shame, rejection, or even violence. The author suggested better data collection, community programs, and cross-border cooperation between police and child protection agencies. It made me think about how brave some girls must be to run away from such danger just to save their own lives.

My thoughts: I fully agree with the authors. FGM is a serious human rights violation, and there is no excuse for it in today’s world. As a humanist, I believe that culture should never be used to harm people. Traditions can evolve when we put human wellbeing first. I feel strongly that governments in Africa should not only pass laws but also invest in education and support for victims and families. Ending FGM is not only about stopping the knife, it is about healing minds and creating safer futures for girls.

This essay made me reflect deeply. It showed me that protecting women and girls is everyone’s responsibility, regardless of religion or culture. Humanism calls us to act out of compassion and reason, and this issue is a perfect example of where both are needed most.

Thank you for sharing this reading. It opened my eyes and strengthened my belief that change begins with empathy and courage.

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UNFPA Policy Brief on Cross-Border Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

by Dame Diongue

After reading the Policy Brief on Cross-Border Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) by UNFPA, I want to share the three most important points I learned and my own honest thoughts.

First, the report shows that FGM is not only a national issue but a regional one that crosses borders. Many families take girls across neighboring countries to cut them in secret where the law is weaker or where it is still culturally accepted. This shows that ending FGM needs more than just laws in one country. It needs countries to work together, share data, and coordinate actions. I found this very important because it shows that culture and geography can both protect and harm children, depending on how society handles them.

Second, the brief explains that despite progress, millions of girls are still at risk. Some parents see FGM as a tradition that prepares girls for marriage or keeps them “pure.” Yet the document shows clearly that FGM causes lasting harm, both physical and psychological. It can lead to infections, childbirth complications, and trauma. For me, this is a sad reality that reflects how harmful traditions can survive under the cover of culture. It also reminds me that education and awareness are more powerful tools than punishment alone.

Third, the authors stress that strong cooperation between border communities, local leaders, and governments is key to ending this practice. Laws alone cannot stop FGM if people still believe in it. Change must come from within communities through conversation, trust, and alternative rites that celebrate girls without harming them. I think this is very true. Real change happens when people understand why something is wrong, not when they are only told it is illegal.

My thoughts: I completely agree with this report. As a humanist, I believe no tradition should come before human wellbeing. FGM is a violation of human rights, and its survival shows how deeply culture can shape people’s actions, even when it hurts others. I respect the effort of organizations like UNFPA that try to bring countries together for a shared solution. But I also think governments must invest more in education for girls and create spaces for open discussion, where people can question harmful customs without fear.

Reading this made me feel both hopeful and challenged. Hopeful, because real progress is happening, and challenged, because much more still needs to be done. The fight against FGM is a test of how much we value reason, empathy, and human dignity above tradition.

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UNICEF, Profile of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Kenya (2020)

by Dame Diongue

After reading the Profile of Female Genital Mutilation in Kenya (2020) by UNICEF, I want to share the three most important points I learned and my own thoughts.

First, the report shows that Kenya has made progress in reducing FGM, but the practice is far from over. Nationally, the rate has dropped from about 38% in 1998 to around 21% in 2014, but this improvement hides big differences between regions and ethnic groups. Some communities, especially in the north and west, still have rates as high as 90%. This shows that progress on paper does not mean progress everywhere. The fight against FGM must reach the places where culture and tradition still hold it tightly.

Second, UNICEF highlights that education and awareness play the biggest role in ending FGM. Girls and women who are educated are less likely to be cut, and they are more likely to question the practice and speak out. The report also notes that mothers’ education levels influence whether their daughters undergo FGM. For me, this is a clear sign that the mind is the real battlefield. When people have knowledge, they start to think critically about harmful customs. This is where real change begins.

Third, the report explains that Kenya’s government has laws against FGM, but enforcement alone is not enough. Many families hide the practice or take girls to neighboring countries like Tanzania or Somalia to be cut. This reminds me of what the UNFPA policy brief said about cross-border FGM. It’s a shared problem that requires cooperation, not just punishment. The report also calls for stronger community dialogue, where religious and cultural leaders are involved in the movement to protect girls.

My thoughts: I strongly agree with the points made in this report. As a rational humanist, I believe that no belief or culture should justify harming another person. FGM has no health benefit and only causes suffering. It is often defended as tradition, but not everything old is worth keeping. I think education is the real key. When people understand the science, the human pain, and the rights of girls, they begin to reject FGM willingly, not because they fear the police but because they see it as wrong.

Reading this also made me reflect on how slow social change can be. It takes more than laws to shift minds that have believed something for generations. But I feel encouraged that progress is possible. Kenya’s declining rates show that with time, courage, and constant awareness, societies can grow beyond harmful customs. This report reminded me that human dignity should always come before tradition, and that reason, empathy, and education must guide our choices.

After reading all the four essays, I feel a deep mix of sadness, anger, and hope. As a woman and an atheist, I see FGM as one of the clearest examples of how blind belief in tradition and religion can destroy lives. Each essay, in its own way, showed me that FGM is not only a medical issue but a human rights crisis rooted in control, fear, and ignorance. I agree with all the authors that this practice brings no benefit, only pain, shame, and lifelong trauma. The reports from UNFPA and UNICEF made me realize how complex the problem is, especially with cross-border cutting, cultural pressure, and community silence. But they also gave me hope that change is possible through education, compassion, and cooperation. As someone who believes only in human reason and empathy, I know that no god will stop this violence, it is our duty as humans to do it ourselves. Ending FGM means freeing girls from both physical and mental bondage. It means teaching families that love should protect, not harm. It means creating laws that work hand in hand with education, awareness, and women’s empowerment. My final thought is simple: humanity must grow beyond harmful customs. We have reason, science, and compassion, everything we need to build a world where every girl owns her body, her future, and her freedom.