Suns of Independence
Salimata undergoes a botched female genital mutilation, which was supposed to be a ritual introducing her into womanhood, followed by which she was raped. She is married to Fama, who has no descendant, and without one his line will die out. As a result, Salimata is desperate to become pregnant. Both characters are lost souls, and are trying to find themselves in society. Unfortunately, society has convinced the characters of this flawed understanding of their Islam, which is rooted in ancient, sexist rituals.
What really upsets me is how Salimata wants to have children, to prove her worth as a woman. Being a virgin on getting married, is one of the greatest “gifts” a woman can give a man. By taking his bride’s virginity, a man asserts his power and dominance in his wife’s life. In fact, being fertile is a woman’s most revered quality in her society in West Africa. Furthermore, giving birth to a son is even more respected. This mindset, most prevalent under a patriarchy, is most problematic. It is not an Islamic trait, or perspective, because Islam calls for women to be given utmost respect. It is a cultural flaw, a societal point of view that needs to adapt, which identifies a woman by her generative power, by her ability to procreate, and undermines any other qualities she might have. Salimata is never rewarded for her kindness, her goodness. She fears her own mistakes for not being able to conceive. But why do we confuse biology with personality? With a person’s character?
Women need to be seen as individuals separate from men – not as their wives, sisters, daughters, mothers, but as a separate entity. Having said that, they are not inferior to the male sex, they are different but equal. Men and women need to be given the same opportunities, but also the same respect. Sending a boy and a girl to school is not enough, if you treat education as the boy’s prerogative but the girl’s privilege!
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