Comments on: Refugee Girls Face Deportation and Mutilation http://www.embraceaustralia.com/refugee-girls-face-deportation-and-mutilation-4909.htm The number one website on Australian immigration, emigrate to Australia with our visa guide, Australia travel guide Sun, 28 Feb 2010 17:25:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Lisa Valentine http://www.embraceaustralia.com/refugee-girls-face-deportation-and-mutilation-4909.htm/comment-page-1#comment-690 Lisa Valentine Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:06:49 +0000 http://www.embraceaustralia.com/?p=4909#comment-690 Hi Jenna, as you can see the story has promoted a lot of comments, some would agree with you and some would disagree. The statistics I quote are from the World Health Organisation, a trusted body. This story is a news story only as it was widely reported on in the national media. I don't claim to make any judgements about it, what I do strive to do is to report facts as accurately as I can. I am happy to provide details of my sources, therefore if you believe those statistics to be inaccurate then I suggest you contact those sources and get back to me should they agree to amend them. Many thanks for taking the time out to comment. Hi Jenna, as you can see the story has promoted a lot of comments, some would agree with you and some would disagree. The statistics I quote are from the World Health Organisation, a trusted body. This story is a news story only as it was widely reported on in the national media. I don’t claim to make any judgements about it, what I do strive to do is to report facts as accurately as I can. I am happy to provide details of my sources, therefore if you believe those statistics to be inaccurate then I suggest you contact those sources and get back to me should they agree to amend them.

Many thanks for taking the time out to comment.

]]> By: Jenna Crowford http://www.embraceaustralia.com/refugee-girls-face-deportation-and-mutilation-4909.htm/comment-page-1#comment-688 Jenna Crowford Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:00:48 +0000 http://www.embraceaustralia.com/?p=4909#comment-688 Comment by Lisa Valentine — September 29, 2009 @ 9:36 am You need to carry out a less biased research. The statistics you provided are from Kristin Whiting... a national geographic news reporter.... don't we all know what extents media is willing to go to get the news out there and out do each other. I suggest you carry out a valid research that is not misleading before you put forward your facts. Kenya is approximately home to 42 ethnic communities and out of the 42, less than 50% of the women have undergone female genital mutilation given that its not a practice in all the 42 cultures.... i'd suggest you look in further there is overwhelming studies conducted out there that is misleading and potrays the African woman's sexuality with alot of unflattering remarks.. your biased statement does not even help those vulnerable girs and women who are going thro' FGM instead it kinda like promotes some form of indirect racism.... Comment by Lisa Valentine — September 29, 2009 @ 9:36 am You need to carry out a less biased research. The statistics you provided are from Kristin Whiting… a national geographic news reporter…. don’t we all know what extents media is willing to go to get the news out there and out do each other.

I suggest you carry out a valid research that is not misleading before you put forward your facts. Kenya is approximately home to 42 ethnic communities and out of the 42, less than 50% of the women have undergone female genital mutilation given that its not a practice in all the 42 cultures…. i’d suggest you look in further there is overwhelming studies conducted out there that is misleading and potrays the African woman’s sexuality with alot of unflattering remarks.. your biased statement does not even help those vulnerable girs and women who are going thro’ FGM instead it kinda like promotes some form of indirect racism….

]]> By: Jenna Crowford http://www.embraceaustralia.com/refugee-girls-face-deportation-and-mutilation-4909.htm/comment-page-1#comment-502 Jenna Crowford Thu, 01 Oct 2009 01:35:03 +0000 http://www.embraceaustralia.com/?p=4909#comment-502 One word for Peter. TRIBALISM............ that is what you have in ur blood. You bring up another different topic worse than this. Remember how many people died in that beautiful land in 2007 while you were possibly safe in Germany.. You are really foolish man! One word for Peter. TRIBALISM………… that is what you have in ur blood. You bring up another different topic worse than this. Remember how many people died in that beautiful land in 2007 while you were possibly safe in Germany.. You are really foolish man!

]]> By: Jenna Crowford http://www.embraceaustralia.com/refugee-girls-face-deportation-and-mutilation-4909.htm/comment-page-1#comment-501 Jenna Crowford Thu, 01 Oct 2009 01:27:20 +0000 http://www.embraceaustralia.com/?p=4909#comment-501 It is unfortunate if these girls faced such a problem and ran to Australia for refuge only to face deportation back to the country where they are at risk. From the way the story sounds, the sect I am aware of in Kenya is Mungiki which the government seems to be having a difficult time controling. The immigration of Australia should intervene for the safety of these girls by negotiating with the Kenyan government to investigate and make it safe for them to go back. I would propose the australian govt. to grant them some funds for their fees or start bisnesses so that they do not have to depend on their relatives. In turn the girls should keep off their relatives as much as possible possibly move to another town (kenya is big country). Also I hope and pray that the girls are not lying as FGM is not an experience one would wish for. There are some girls who are in serious need and if they learn their stories they should think twice. I know of rescue centers in Maasai land where girls run to take refuge from FGM and forced marriages. I hope these girls explored various opportunities before they left for Australia. It is unfortunate if these girls faced such a problem and ran to Australia for refuge only to face deportation back to the country where they are at risk. From the way the story sounds, the sect I am aware of in Kenya is Mungiki which the government seems to be having a difficult time controling. The immigration of Australia should intervene for the safety of these girls by negotiating with the Kenyan government to investigate and make it safe for them to go back. I would propose the australian govt. to grant them some funds for their fees or start bisnesses so that they do not have to depend on their relatives.

In turn the girls should keep off their relatives as much as possible possibly move to another town (kenya is big country). Also I hope and pray that the girls are not lying as FGM is not an experience one would wish for. There are some girls who are in serious need and if they learn their stories they should think twice. I know of rescue centers in Maasai land where girls run to take refuge from FGM and forced marriages. I hope these girls explored various opportunities before they left for Australia.

]]> By: Sumi-Assumpter Akumu http://www.embraceaustralia.com/refugee-girls-face-deportation-and-mutilation-4909.htm/comment-page-1#comment-495 Sumi-Assumpter Akumu Wed, 30 Sep 2009 02:47:41 +0000 http://www.embraceaustralia.com/?p=4909#comment-495 I am glad you took the time to respond; thank you. The issue is not whether the media 'helped' their case. These girls could be in real danger here.I just found 'many' a bit overboard. I believe this wasn't an opinion piece, so your statistics and sources would have been helpful in THE INITIAL report. This matter has been well reported by other media sources. Did you perhaps 'just forget' to mention the illegal sect? Somehow most of the Australian media sources did not forget this important bit. In fact, the lady herself didn't [forget] in her interview. And, do you know the current female population in Kenya? I would rather not venture into tribal outlines as that's exactly what hurts Kenya most. Don't get me started on why we as a country had to have a President as well as a Prime Minister in the same jurisdiction. All in all, balanced reporting was the issue. Well explained; only, it is has come AFTER your initial report. Delayed, don't you think? I have given my true details on your site, contact me by email if you deem it necessary. I am glad you took the time to respond; thank you. The issue is not whether the media ‘helped’ their case. These girls could be in real danger here.I just found ‘many’ a bit overboard. I believe this wasn’t an opinion piece, so your statistics and sources would have been helpful in THE INITIAL report. This matter has been well reported by other media sources. Did you perhaps ‘just forget’ to mention the illegal sect? Somehow most of the Australian media sources did not forget this important bit. In fact, the lady herself didn’t [forget] in her interview. And, do you know the current female population in Kenya? I would rather not venture into tribal outlines as that’s exactly what hurts Kenya most. Don’t get me started on why we as a country had to have a President as well as a Prime Minister in the same jurisdiction. All in all, balanced reporting was the issue. Well explained; only, it is has come AFTER your initial report. Delayed, don’t you think? I have given my true details on your site, contact me by email if you deem it necessary.

]]> By: Lisa Valentine http://www.embraceaustralia.com/refugee-girls-face-deportation-and-mutilation-4909.htm/comment-page-1#comment-493 Lisa Valentine Tue, 29 Sep 2009 08:36:47 +0000 http://www.embraceaustralia.com/?p=4909#comment-493 Thank you for your comments. In answer to your criticisms I'll quote my sources from the World Health Organisation and the African Ministry of Health. In 1998 the Ministry of Health found that 38% of Kenyan women between the ages of 15 and 19, and more than half of women over the age of 35 had been circumcised. In the Kisii and Masai tribes the numbers were 97% and 89% respectively. In fact the WHO put the worldwide number at 100 to 140 million girls and women who have been circumcised and they stated that another 3 million were at risk. FGM is practiced in 26 out of 43 African countries. Therefore I believe that my wording as 'many Kenyan women' is correct in that context. Whilst you are correct about it being illegal in Kenya, unfortunately the law is not adhered to in some tribes who still consider FGM as a woman's rite of passage. Happily though the numbers of girls being forced to endure this practice is declining. The photograph was one of the less controversial I had in my possession. Due to the media attention the girls case has attracted, Senator Chris Evans has now promised to personally look into the case. Thank you for your comments. In answer to your criticisms I’ll quote my sources from the World Health Organisation and the African Ministry of Health. In 1998 the Ministry of Health found that 38% of Kenyan women between the ages of 15 and 19, and more than half of women over the age of 35 had been circumcised. In the Kisii and Masai tribes the numbers were 97% and 89% respectively. In fact the WHO put the worldwide number at 100 to 140 million girls and women who have been circumcised and they stated that another 3 million were at risk. FGM is practiced in 26 out of 43 African countries. Therefore I believe that my wording as ‘many Kenyan women’ is correct in that context.
Whilst you are correct about it being illegal in Kenya, unfortunately the law is not adhered to in some tribes who still consider FGM as a woman’s rite of passage. Happily though the numbers of girls being forced to endure this practice is declining.
The photograph was one of the less controversial I had in my possession.
Due to the media attention the girls case has attracted, Senator Chris Evans has now promised to personally look into the case.

]]> By: Sumi-Assumpter Akumu http://www.embraceaustralia.com/refugee-girls-face-deportation-and-mutilation-4909.htm/comment-page-1#comment-492 Sumi-Assumpter Akumu Tue, 29 Sep 2009 04:51:40 +0000 http://www.embraceaustralia.com/?p=4909#comment-492 Whoever wrote this story needs to get a few things right – With all due respect, just who told you “for many Kenyan women, female circumcision is part of their culture�??? Who is “many�? The elegant little girls dancing in the photo there, perhaps? I won’t be surprised to find that this is a photo you just fished from somewhere to fit the story. Check ABC,SBS and The Australian for facts.You need to realize the two ladies took it upon themselves to state their fears are as a result of an OUTLAWED [aka illegal] sect. That’s all we know at this stage, no one knows if their claims are true or false. While it is true it is done ILLEGALLY in some remote parts of Kenya, where these girls might be from, FGM is not Kenya’s culture. FGM is widely fought in Kenya even as I write. I trust the Australian government in more ways than one and I’m sure this matter will be well considered. So leave it to them to solve and stop flagging “many� Kenyans are inhuman and FGM nation.Be a good journalist and stop reporting “your own spin�. Unless this in an opinion piece, kindly avoid lopsided reporting – that’s what I was taught in Journalism school. Whoever wrote this story needs to get a few things right – With all due respect, just who told you “for many Kenyan women, female circumcision is part of their culture�??? Who is “many�? The elegant little girls dancing in the photo there, perhaps? I won’t be surprised to find that this is a photo you just fished from somewhere to fit the story. Check ABC,SBS and The Australian for facts.You need to realize the two ladies took it upon themselves to state their fears are as a result of an OUTLAWED [aka illegal] sect. That’s all we know at this stage, no one knows if their claims are true or false. While it is true it is done ILLEGALLY in some remote parts of Kenya, where these girls might be from, FGM is not Kenya’s culture. FGM is widely fought in Kenya even as I write. I trust the Australian government in more ways than one and I’m sure this matter will be well considered. So leave it to them to solve and stop flagging “many� Kenyans are inhuman and FGM nation.Be a good journalist and stop reporting “your own spin�. Unless this in an opinion piece, kindly avoid lopsided reporting – that’s what I was taught in Journalism school.

]]> By: Anne G. http://www.embraceaustralia.com/refugee-girls-face-deportation-and-mutilation-4909.htm/comment-page-1#comment-473 Anne G. Wed, 23 Sep 2009 05:54:49 +0000 http://www.embraceaustralia.com/?p=4909#comment-473 Peter, it is a shame you already sound so tribalistic in your reply.if you think the girls are faking just say so instead of bringing out something we are trying to get rid of in kenya. Tribalism is not the way forward. as for the girls, if they can prove beyond reasonable doubt that their life is under threat then the decision lies with the immigration department in Australia. Peter, it is a shame you already sound so tribalistic in your reply.if you think the girls are faking just say so instead of bringing out something we are trying to get rid of in kenya. Tribalism is not the way forward. as for the girls, if they can prove beyond reasonable doubt that their life is under threat then the decision lies with the immigration department in Australia.

]]> By: Vivienne http://www.embraceaustralia.com/refugee-girls-face-deportation-and-mutilation-4909.htm/comment-page-1#comment-471 Vivienne Tue, 22 Sep 2009 23:22:41 +0000 http://www.embraceaustralia.com/?p=4909#comment-471 They should have come a students then they could stay here! Only the relatively well-off and educated are welcomed in Australia. They should have come a students then they could stay here! Only the relatively well-off and educated are welcomed in Australia.

]]> By: Peter Letitoya http://www.embraceaustralia.com/refugee-girls-face-deportation-and-mutilation-4909.htm/comment-page-1#comment-470 Peter Letitoya Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:59:19 +0000 http://www.embraceaustralia.com/?p=4909#comment-470 I am a German citizen and originally kenyan. I hate to see how this kikuyu women spoil the name of our beautiful land kenya. am a maasai and its our tribe which practise FGM.. but ever since the practise is stopping. there are laws in kenya that stop this.. I have my sisters who I told my parents not to circumcise and they obeyed why cant this girls from kikuyu tribe just look for other ways to stay in australia instead of shaming our kenyan names... this are economic refugees... Hypicrites are this girls...but no wonder they are from a tribe called kikuyu as their names suggests...... just stay in australia but dont use fake excuses I am a German citizen and originally kenyan. I hate to see how this kikuyu women spoil the name of our beautiful land kenya. am a maasai and its our tribe which practise FGM.. but ever since the practise is stopping. there are laws in kenya that stop this.. I have my sisters who I told my parents not to circumcise and they obeyed why cant this girls from kikuyu tribe just look for other ways to stay in australia instead of shaming our kenyan names… this are economic refugees…
Hypicrites are this girls…but no wonder they are from a tribe called kikuyu as their names suggests……
just stay in australia but dont use fake excuses

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