Terrorism and Mental Health

TERRORISM CounterInterventions
Terrorism was a global threat bound to spread to all countries that shared conditions and history of discrimination, oppression, foreign dominance and social alienation, which turned victims into killers (Mamdani, 2004). In Uganda, reports showed 84 people –either blown out of being by 7/11 explosions or dead but with some body parts missing. This was masterminded by the Somali terrorist group called the Al-Shabaab, allied to the Al-Qaeda Network (Ssenkabirwa, 2010a). These events occurred with concerns of possible psychological trauma suffered by survivors, rescuers, families, neighborhoods, and concerned members of the public, whether present at the bomb scene or not. It had a contagious effect (Greig, 2006). The experiences showed that events as the 7/11 may have caused wide range of emotional and behavioral problems (Tanielian and Stein, 2006). This prompted interventions to enable coping, well-adjustment, and sustainable psychological healing for families from well-prepared and equipped service providers. Indeed, following the 7/11, a handful of service providers rushed to the scene to attend to the victims (Ntulo, Mugherera and Ndyanabangi, 2010). Proactive responses were made at various fronts to deal with the adverse impact it caused: at the military, medical, psychological, family, individual, group, religious, and media levels –within  the country, regionally, and globally to support families of the dead, injured, and survivors –without injuries.
The incidence was so tragic and historical –without experience on interventions and guidelines.
Unemployed or ambitious young people, most of whom come from refugee communities,  have been lured into terrorist activities upon being promised either money or better life after death away from uncertain future. Once poverty and indoctrination are married on one hand, and powerful ambitions and indoctrination on another, a powerful terror spirit can be created. The Ugandan youngsters who bombed Kampala had been promised an equivalent $250 Uganda Shillings per month.   From the information fed to the suspects there was a clear indication that such information is packaged in a way that convinces the executioner that life would be better than the current. In his confession to the Ugandan press one of the terror suspects (Idris Nsubuga) revealed that by answering a phone call (that triggered the bomb blast) his life will never be the same. In his words he said,
"I thought by answering this call my life would be better," he said. "But it changed it entirely -- I've never been the same since then."
Unsuspecting youngsters are taken advantage in the name of religion to carry out acts of terror, Issa Ahmed Luyima a much more senior member of the Al-Shabaab found it easier to recruit his young brother (Haruna Hassan Luyima) than any Ugandan outside his kinship -as they could be suspecting enough ti foil his terror plan. He was quoted in the Ugandan media saying,
“I did not want to work with my brother but recruiting other people was very risky, so I manipulated him.”  
In another media statement that reinforces the terrorist organizations' act of indoctrinating young people into terror activities, the inspector general of police was quoted saying,
“The eight Pakistanis arrested preaching in Pallisa were initially in Kasese recruiting children and indoctrinating them in Madarasa (Koran schools). The next thing, they were in Pallisa without documents.”
In conclusion, extremist in religions was the critical contributor to terrorism showed by yes (84%), no (1%) and other factors (15%) against religion at yes (30%), no (64%) and other factors (6%), and foreign policy at yes (28%), no (58%) and other factors (14%). It is therefore pertinent for religions and other ideologists to preach tolerance and promote diversity, as the media plays the role of creating a human spirit -across religious and cultural spectrum.
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Psychological Trauma Project in Uganda

PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA HANDLING SERVICES

The project provided knowledge on interventions necessary to proactively manage trauma as first aid package to individuals; to mental health workers who time and again face trauma cases; and to institutions and organizations with interest in the subject of trauma interventions. The project helped to strengthen the mental health infrastructure to support sustained healing of traumatized families. It recognised and catered for the diverse approaches employed to manage trauma with a special emphasis on terrorism; both professionally or institutionally structuralised and unprofessionally or non-institutionalised. Their overall outputs and outcomes got highlighted. The study served as referral point for researchers and the general readers, and went a long way to guide them in the management of both natural and artificial disasters. While this study limited itself to affected families, it inspired researchers to cover psychological trauma and interventions among members of the security forces, medical personnel, and other service providers such as the media fraternity and general community, who were vulnerable to psychological trauma. Thereafter, appropriate interventions were designed to effectively and efficiently manage the different contexts it (trauma) occurred.

HOW YOU CAN BE INVOLVED
As client
As volunteer
As service activity sponsor
As client sponsor
As fundraiser
As donor/funder
As ambassador
As development partner
As friend
Visit us
Visit our blog www.integratedmhi.blogspot.ug
Visit our facebook page: www.facebook.com/integratedmentalhealthinitiative
HOW YOU CAN REACH US
Telephone: +256774336277 or +256752542504
Email: waiswajacobo@yahoo.co.uk or dishma.imhs@gmail.com

Global Terrorism: Victims of the 7/11 and Psychological Trauma Interventions, Uganda's Quest for Solutions

By

Jacob Waiswa

Psychological trauma is occurring in areas of the world marred by violence -radiating from families, communities, and the different regions of the world –where victims develop considerable degrees of disability mentally, physically, emotionally, socially, occupationally, and spiritually.

Terrorism is one approach of violence that has perplexed the world today. The application of lethal violence usually requires reference to vital threats; broad and complex grievances; spiritual, moral, and ethical authority; and symbolic, identity, or other irreducible goals (Walter, R. 1990).

Terrorism is fatal and agonising strategy of violence against a perceived enemy. It is pursued by different people for different reasons, yet well justified by them –respectively. While terrorism constitutes mental and behavioural tendencies of one party towards another, it is hardly perceived so by that party. 

ENVIRONMENT TERRORISM, GLOBAL WARMING AND GENDER

Jacob Waiswa
Situation Health Analyst
Dishma-Inc.
P.O. Box 8885,
Kampala-Uganda
Tel. +256392614655/+256752542504
dishma.imhs@gmail.com
www.situationhealthanalysis.blogspot.com

An estimated 10 million people are at risk of severe drought in East Africa in East Africa. Over the years UNEP has warned of the effects of potential climate change, deforestation, and the loss of grasslands and wetlands (DeCapua, J. 2011).

The single cause of global warming today is man’s insensitive activities –including destruction of nature for survival and curiosity, and perpetuation of violence in struggle for remaining yet scarce natural resources that by far destroys life –including man himself or herself.

While we would rely on the fact that history judges people accordingly, on the part of any individual destroying the environment, it judges everyone –regardless of whether they are environment terrorists or not.

This makes conflict eminent when man’s own intentions lead to global warming, when global warming claims the already scarce resources and, ultimately, when the scarce natural resources lead to conflict.

However, experts have argued that, behind the debates on global warming are greater ill-intentions. “Some elites have created this debate, but the intended purpose is to say there are too many people on the planet unsustainably and these guys have a depopulation project going on; AIDS, bird flu, SARS and others tools yet to be unleashed. They are actually saying the 3rd world who are still using wood and charcoal, are contributing very much to global warming since they produce carbon dioxide (CO2) in great quantities, but good scientists are saying its CO2 that is needed by plants and, of course, its removed from the environment, and the amount of CO2 have never increased. There are also econ issues which haven’t been digested.” –Simon Nantamu (PhD), Global Health, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.

Women in Uganda represent 80% of the agricultural labor force, responsible for 80% of food crop production, and 60% cash crop production. Such important contribution from women is undermined by armed conflict. As a result, an estimated 2.3 million children get chronically malnourished –a condition that also affects their brains (Wandera and Mashoo, 2011).

The United Nations Security Council resolution 1325 recognizes that women and girls are most affected by armed conflict and, thus, calls for their participation in decision making.

During that time, they are not in position to gather food for the family, let alone the failure to contribute to the countries economic development. On top of the lack of incomes from agricultural produce, inflation becomes the order of the day –which worsens the poverty situation at household level.

The districts of Kampala, Iganga, Mayuge, Jinja, and Nairobi were put into perspective by way of observations, focused group discussions with community members mindful of gender, stories and cases, and review of data from other individuals and organizations that have worked or lived there –in line with the questions that related to the above objectives, and visited Nairobi (Kenya) the following year for further assessment and comparison with its neighbor –Uganda.
Lifestyle choices towards management of natural resources depicted food availability and a healthy population to manage them, and young people exhibited most aggression towards the environment; modernization in Uganda was understood in terms of tarmac roads, high administrative and commercial building, highest corporate life and, not at all, in terms of development of the natural environment of which humanity was part or which sustained life systems.

In just one year 4/5 days in the coolest month (July) in Kenya were as warm as Uganda unlike the previous year –and famine now threatens life on the African continent and in particular East Africa –with children and women most endangered; features of flooded areas were seasoned during the last five years, along with broken sewerage systems that went on to contaminate food and other human environments, denying affected population access to main roads, and without electricity and, most recently, has been a threat of lightening that killed an estimated 40 people in Uganda.

In conclusion, selfish and egocentric yet destructive behaviors towards nature and nature fighting back in terms of generate conditions for infectious diseases and “wild” rains, scramble for scarce resources, famine migrations and violence.

The situation is now endangering the whole continent –Africa. “As humans get lost in what makes them be below the most stupid animal those who are armed with skills to help them become well acquainted with their issues and try to help them rise above that animal.” Fred Charles Oweyegha-Afunaduula, National Association of Professional Environmentalists, Kampala, Uganda.

Is Terrorism about Just Sowing Bombs?

Jacob Waiswa
Peace and Conflict Center
P.O. Box 7062,
Makerere University
Kampala-Uganda
jwaiswa@arts.mak.ac.ug

Terror is an act intended to instil fear in a target population or person. The causes are search for identity, oppression, ignorance, psychological and instinctual causes. Humans like animals are terrorists.

They will do anything to drive enemies and competitors for resources away. Frustration and internalized aggression build over time when young people fail to reach their potential share the ‘pain’ at an opportune time. Once expressed the ‘pain’ manifests itself in horrendous acts.

Development of terror philosophy comes at a time perpetrators think there is no alternative means to attain their goals. The means are unhealthy if turn out to be a norm, ritual or just religious.

In recent times are tools for religious, cultural, economic and political survival. Verbal threats, kidnapping, shooting at weaker targets are elements of the game to attract attention, to dominate others and to attain the human needs highly competed for.

Marginalized communities, do all they can in order to be heard to attract attention of the wider audience and respond to their suppressed, politicized, demeaned and misunderstood demands. Resistance by both parties against each other cause full scale confrontation ensues –leading to destruction of life and property.

Uganda’s political history is famed for that, let alone the history of mankind, the tribal movements that were characterized by ethnic violence. Characteristic underpinnings of them all were strives for economic and political power (glory and prestige) –all at the cost of greater destruction of life and property.

In the past it could be concluded that perpetrator of terror were ignorant in the sense that at the time of the terror trigger, there had been an end to reasoning and ability to solve or to find alternative solutions for sustainable development in diversity of issues –such that –diversity itself is a source of wealth.

From the recent past, Uganda has faced gruesome attacks from the allied democratic front in the western region of the country in which 80 students were burnt alive and 100 more abducted in 1998.

Memorable, too, was the suffocation of civilians (70) to death in 1989 Mukura, Teso region of Uganda. Consented religious terrorism also featured, when in 2000, 1000 worshipers died in an inferno. Terrorism exhibited from recent riots in Uganda cannot be underestimated. An estimated 40 people died in just three years.

The 9/11 terror attacks in the US shaped the face of terrorism in the world both in conceptualization and usage. It was not only about instilling fear, but a motivated action to impose one’s doctrine –political or religious –through detonation of bombs in civilian locations. Religion was used to sustain such terror.

First, names were a measure to determine religiousness and subsequent qualification of a given a person as suspect for the terror attacks. The prompt questions night patrol police in Uganda will today ask when met late in the night will be about the tribe confirmed by the name, and to confirm whether he (fond of males) can speak the language very well. It is until the night walker confirmed he will be free. It is now a big time norm after the July 11th 2010 Kampala bomb attacks.

Liberation movements will use the word terrorism to drum up international sympathy and support while unconscious of the equally terror acts they implicate on civilians directly or indirectly in the course of the rebellion. On the other hand the government will use the word terror to demonize opposition and drum civil hatred against it while increasing their support in the populace.

That continues up to the diplomatic stage when the unbalanced and unrepresentative united nations security council easily imposes their concept of terrorism by others rather than by them, and using terrorism phrase to arouse support of the same amount of terrorism they soon ‘democratically’ agree to pursue against a nation in question that has been bitterly isolated.

It is in the best usage of the term terrorism if it encompasses any action that perpetuates fear as its ultimate –be it at policy formulation, in aspects of mismanagement and abuse of office, killing of civilians by security agents, and verbal abuses and insults.

Indeed, there is terrorism in everyday life like; child abuse, genital female mutilation, poor performance in government institutions, swindling of government or donor funds, and insensitivity of the misery and suffering of the people. It is important to note that terrorism is not one sided. It is a cycle of events affecting one another in which people are involved.

Soon, when the terrorized revenges with the same amount of terrorism he or she was subjected to, the winner like in a race, would have done most terrorism. Because the very weak, denationalized and voiceless are forced in oblivion through marginalization and brutal suppression, they can be innovative enough to make themselves listened to the fact that, actually, they have a right to exist as individuals, citizens or as nations –without undue arrogance of others.

Cultural and Religious Terrorism: Which Way to Go and Whose Responsibility?

Again female genital mutilation (FGM) ceremony has been conducted successfully without any leader, or so called NGOs raising a voice. The Saturday Vision, 6th November, 2010, reported that 200 girls have been lined up in the districts of Bukwo and Kapchorwa for circumcision come, December 2010.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a shame on ‘the pearl of Africa` in the contemporary times! .This practice involves the removal of all or part of the female genetalia. The remaining flesh (outer lips) may then be stitched together in a procedure known as infibulations.

And small hole that allows menstruation and urination remains after infibulations, both intercourse and child birth will cause pain and young girls that undergo mutilation will never gain pleasure from sex. Others die in the process!

The penalty for a person caught practicing Female Genital Mutilation is 10 years sentence in jail and one that causes death of the young girl in same act faces life sentence. Traditional culture is not a substitute of human rights, it is the cultural context in which human rights must be established, integrated, promoted and protected.

Human rights must be approached in a way that is meaningful and relevant in the cultural context that ultimately yields lasting peace among the people. FGM is typical cultural violence, demeans society members, and causes stigma and discrimination all that breeds conflict and eventually wars.

It is upon the state by any means to directly intervene, not just to cause impressions by passing bills and watch as nationals continue to be agonised each other in the name of culture. According to the Bible, the disciples sailing on stormy water mass could not hold, they woke up Jesus and he calmed the storm (Mk 4:39)!

Where are the religious leaders? What about the civil society? Please call at a loud voice and have Uganda`s future leaders get saved from permanent shame and damage. The actors should know that peace does come from violent culture but from the hearts of the people ready to cause peaceful decisions to change society. To all Ugandans, it remains rather a contention of naivety to boast of peace in Uganda amidst such gross violation of human rights.

Last Saturday in a new vision report by Womakuyu Fredrick (December 4th, 2010 P.3), it was reportedly a fulfillment of that promise the elders made to the whole world that they would circumcise 200 girls; 120 girls were circumcised, and only 80 of the planned figure escaped. It is a pity, more so that a big chunk of today’s leadership is pursuing rounds of terms of service to keep culturally enslaved Ugandans in a life-threatening practice (FGM).

Unfortunately, most Ugandans never care –so long as it is other individuals affected. In a peace session of 30 participants discussing peace and in particular FGM, only two said the practice is an acceptable; the rest simply condoned it saying it was a cultural right.

Even when one of the two participants –who expressed bitterness about FGM put it clearly to the best education of participants that FGM was as bad as cutting off the whole penis of a man, they were, still, not moved.

The same happened for a long time regarding Karamoja –when most people justified their way of life –probably as a source of national income –through tourism. It is a struggle, which either caring Sabiny people, if there is any, the media, or international community must commit themselves to and help arrest the situation.

Otherwise, Uganda’s unrepresentative government, nursing only their prolonged stay in power and economic greed, very unreliable yet determined to keep the status quo cannot be entrusted anymore with lives of Ugandans –as was evidenced by events that have happened over a period of five to ten years.

The Incidents like the cult mass murders in Kanungu in 2000 –in which over 1,000 members of the movement for the restoration of the ten commandments ignorantly, without prevention mechanism in place of any kind by the state lost their lives; the September 11th, 2009 riots in which 30 unarmed civilians were massacred by security agencies; and the July 11th, 2010 terror attacks –in which over 76 Ugandans were killed. And in all such violence, government either did not warn the population or received outcomes as breaking news.

The same report by Womakuyu indicated that the UN Fund for population Activities allocated around $300,000 for FGM activities, but, until now, there is nothing on the ground to report about. So we observe a marriage of harmful corruption and harmful culture giving rise to traumatic conditions, and throughout the years until now a nation with no value for life, or rather too cheap to feel the losses and destructions it.

Even the patriotic program being fronted by the leadership is only aimed at dividing Ugandans further only to add on the lasting effects of individual merit politics once concretized by the same regime. Now people have been blinded-folded by ‘another rap’ more new promises without questioning those whose dates to materialize are as Christianizing as the coming of Christ promise.

Now if the leadership fails to show concern about life threatening scenarios like child sacrifice, jiggers, corruption in the health sector, rampant robberies and simple murders in the outskirts of the city; and Ugandans too fail, who shall be take the responsibility to intervene and stop the nonsense? Do not get surprised when the jigger-affected people –who have won international sympathy accept status quo by electing the same leadership to keep around national problems by 99% vote.

But responsibility begins with the individual, but the Saturday Vision report by Womakuyu showed that even FGM candidates can be ‘irresponsible’ by giving in the risky practice. For example, Alice Chemutai –who gave in to FGM, and after it she said, “I am happy I have become a woman by being circumcised. I will be able to do what other cut women do. I will now be able to climb into the granary or milk cows, which I was not allowed to do till now” is a good case.

When the cost-benefit analysis is brought into play to compare such a statement and the life-long impairment of the reproductive system, the cost beats any such culturally-assumed benefits. These are the issues NGOs –especially with reproductive health and human rights components need to outline during sensitisation programs if any.

Unfortunately, reports show that there is nothing on the ground despite funds inflow to support those programs. Of course, government or health ministry must not be mentioned here if the FGM must be redirected and uprooted out of the mental faculties of the affected communities. It is already evidenced that they can not deliver.

The questions remain: what is the role of the law enforcement agencies or the obligation of government to its people? Who do the leadership represent, or the technocrats? Could they be representatives of animals or themselves? Where are the policy makers and technocrats? Can leaders and agencies concern account for the funds they receive to run health, security, and human rights programs? Where is patriotism and who does it serve? Should field media men and women involve police on life-threatening matters –as a more proactive press?


By

Richard Rurangwa Byamukama and Jacob Waiswa
Conflict and Peace Centre, Makerere University

UNITED AGAINST CULTURAL TERRORISM: A CALL FOR JUSTICE AND LEADERSHIP, ACTIO NOW!

In light of the recent media reports that cultural leaders are planning to conduct female circumcision this year, i wish to express my concerns.

It is so disturbing to note how harmful culture is, yet heartily held.

Any action -be it cultural, religious or falling in any other structural forms of society found to be of harm to normal human functioning, a cost and a threat to life is with great contempt unacceptable and must be condemned and fought with equally proportionate weight of the law, so that practices such as FGM (female Genital Mutilation), child sacrifice, abuse and exploitation of unsuspecting population ceases here and now.

As a concerned global citizen, i wish to call upon the international community to join hands with civil society organization to save young girls from the harmful practices of culture and religion.

Very disturbing is that at no time have i seen or read an official statement from government condemning planned FGM in Sebei sub-region (Eastern Uganda). It a pity.

It is against that background that the civil society, now assumes, the messianic in Uganda -if we are to arrest a situation as the planned FGM in Eastern Uganda.

I am, thus, contributing a few minutes to run this statement and information below online.


Jacob Waiswa

For God and My Country


THE SHARPLY ALARMING CALL FOR ACTION

Dear Friends,

Though the date given here is 6th November 2010, I found this in today's New Vision. This is worth following up. Can we imagine the level of the 'Absence of Government'-when it legislates and fails to enforce. Worse still is the 'politics' involved! What can we do in this case? Can some people write a Press Release with call against 'cultural violence' against our Mothers, Sisters and Wives? In fact, our Neighbours! Someone should cry aloud. Or perhaps make a symbolic act. Please, propose and act swiftly!

Peace?

Over 200 Sabiny girls to be circumcised
Saturday, 6th November, 2010

A circumciser shows the razorblades, the instruments of the ritual

A circumciser shows the razorblades, the instruments of the ritual


By Frederick Womakuyu Saturday Vision, 6th November, 2010

ELDERS in Bukwo and Kapchorwa districts are preparing to circumcise over 200 girls next month despite a new law banning the practice.

They swear that the whole tribe would rather go to prison than abolish a custom they inherited from their ancestors.

The practice, commonly referred to as female circumcision, is mostly practiced among the Sabiny, who occupy Bukwo and Kapchorwa districts on the northern slopes of Mt Elgon. The United Nations categorises it as female genital mutilation (FGM) because it damages a woman’s sexuality and leads to various complications. FGM refers to the removal of the external female genitalia.

Accordingly, last December parliament passed a law banning female circumcision. President Yoweri Museveni signed it into law on March 17, 2010 and it took effect on April 9, 2010.

The law argues that FGM infringes on the rights of the woman and also leads to health hazards, including excessive bleeding, death, birth complications and exposure to illnesses. The law criminalises the practice, calls for prosecution of offenders and protection of victims. Anyone caught doing it faces 10 years in jail or life imprisonment if the victim dies.

But the Sabiny are unfazed by this law. The vice-chairman of Bukwo district, John Chelangat, says over 200 girls are being prepared for the practice beginning on December 1 and neither he nor other political leaders are able to stop it. The men like it because circumcised women are less interested in sex and are, therefore, less likely to have extramarital affairs. The girls do not want to be considered outcasts, so they go for the knife.

“This is a very sensitive period and no politician will talk about abolishing FGM because we shall lose votes. Myself, I will not talk about FGM because I know this will land me into the political dustbin,” says Chelangat.

Consequently, as the December 1, 2010 circumcision nears, preparations to grace the ritual are in high gear in Sebei region.

In Bukwo district, the residents had a bumper harvest of maize, sorghum and millet that is being used for making local brew (Malwa) to entertain the revelers and also aid in performing sacred rituals, only known to the Sabiny people.

Kokop Chebet, 70, a mentor from Matibeyi village in Suam sub-county-Bukwo, says she has received applications from over 20 girls wishing to be prepared for the ritual.

“They came to me in January and I have been training them on how to go through the ritual. They told me they want to become women like others because they are tired of being scolded by the community that still calls them girls because they are not cut,” she adds.

Alice Kokop, 65, another mentor from Suam says she has also received about 15 applications from girls in Kabei sub-county wishing to be cut.

Other girls are to come from Chesower and Bukwo Town Council sub-counties. “I have already taken them through a series of trainings and they are about to be ready. We shall cut the first group in the first week of December,” Kokop explains.

Asked about the law prohibiting FGM, the two said a law cannot stop the cultural rite of the Sabiny people unless the community agrees with it.

Twenty-year-old Ana Chebet is a resident of Matibeyi village in Suam. Married with three children, Chebet has always been scolded by the community for not undergoing circumcision that passes her from childhood to adulthood.

“I cannot milk a cow or climb into the family granary. Whenever I go to the well, other women throw scorn at me because I am not cut,” adds Chebet, who will be one of the candidates this December.

She says mentors trained her how to dance when preparing for the ritual, the kind of food to eat, including posho, beans, honey and fermented milk to replace lost energy and blood.

Alice Chemutai, 17, another resident of Matibeyi, was convinced by her aunt to undergo female circumcision. But because she is educated she refused and her father supported her.

She recites an endless list of young girls who have dropped out of school to get married after the ritual and those who have had birth complications, bleeding and infections after.

“I will never get circumcised because this will not only infringe on my rights of womanhood but will also expose me to long-term health hazards. I am happy my father and mother support me against other relatives,” adds Chemutai, a Senior Three student at Amananga High School in Suam.

According to the law, a person commits aggravated FGM in situations where death occurs or where the victim is disabled or is infected with HIV/AIDS.

A person also commits aggravated FGM where the offender is a parent, guardian or person having control over the victim or where the act is done by a health worker.

The law punishes a person who commits aggravated FGM with life imprisonment.

A person who carries out FGM shall be imprisoned for a period not exceeding 10 years. People who participate or aid FGM shall be jailed.

The Sabiny people claim they do not fear the law and they are ready to die for FGM. “This law was not initiated or brought by the people of Sebei. It was brought by the people who do not understand why we carry out circumcision,” adds Alice Kokop.

According to Sabiny customs and traditions, female circumcision has been around for over 2,000 years and it is carried out to convert a female from childhood to adulthood. Females who are not circumcised are not called women and they are not supposed to carry out certain home activities like milking a cow, climbing into a family granary and talking with the elders.