Finnish journalist and photographer Meeri Koutaniemi’s subject is female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as female genital cutting or female circumcision, a ritual practice observed in various parts of the world for non-medical purposes. It involves the removal of some or all of the external female genitalia. An estimated 200 million women and girls around the world have undergone the procedure.
Meeri Koutaniemi Taken [ EPF 2014 FINALIST ] Taken is a long term work aiming to a book, which has a diversity of stories from circumcised women who share their struggles in daily life resulting fr…
Taken is a long term work aiming to a book, which has a diversity of stories from circumcised women who share their struggles in daily life resulting from an incident that caused irreversible mental and physical consequences for the rest of their lives.
Meeri Koutaniemi said she took these pictures to remind the world that FGM/C happens every day—whether or not there’s a photographer to record it—and plans to keep documenting its effects on girls and women in other countries.
