This picture depicts inner labia that stretch out beyond the labia majora and hang loosely on either side . The “ labiaplasty ” procedure removes nearly all the inner labia and significantly reduces and reshapes the clitoral hood and exposed glans . From my own observation , the straight line in the post-op picture resembles the neat scar that results from WHO Type II excision and even moreso the most extreme form , Type III infibulation .
The “ labiaplasty ” in this picture also depicts extensive cutting of the labia minora and much of the labia majora . I don ’ t see any sign of a visible clitoral glans in either photo . Compare the “ after ” labiaplasty with a Type II surgery that has a similar effect . Both pictures bring to my mind the comment I often hear from FGM survivors who say , “ there ’ s nothing there ” or “ I have nothing left ”. It is truly ironic that some white or western women today would pay thousands of dollars to excise what they see as unsightly , excess flesh while some African or Muslim women who have undergone this procedure as part of cultural tradition or religion have come to view the absence of more flesh as an assault on their womanhood .
In this final picture , we can see step-by-step before , during and after surgery how so-called “ labiaplasty ” dramatically transforms an “ intact ” vulva into one that looks very similar to WHO Type III infibulation . The after picture shows far more work than mere cutting of the inner labia ; the labia majora appear fuller , the clitoral foreskin or hood has been dramatically reduced and a neat line extends from the top of the vulva to the vagina , giving the appearance of a “ closed ” or “ sealed ” vagina ( see diagram of WHO Type III ). Picture E depicts the most extreme and rarest form of Type III infibulation , where much of the labia majora is also removed and sewn together to form a flat line over the vulva .
SiA And The Shabaka Stone Winter Special Edition 2017 9