For years, African women scarred by female genital mutilation had no hope. A California doctor is changing that – LA Times

When she flew into Nairobi airport, Marci Bowers’ huge suitcase was crammed with sutures and medical instruments, everything she could fit inside.

The doctor from San Francisco was bound for a hospital in one of the Kenyan capital’s slums and needed the equipment for the work ahead: repairing women’s bodies, undoing the work of genital cutters who drag young girls from their homes to fulfill an ancient coming-of-age ritual.

It was the first time the operation to address female genital mutilation has been performed in Kenya, where some 5 million women from many ethnic groups are victims.

Read more here: http://www.latimes.com/world/africa/la-fg-kenya-genital-mutilation-2017-story.html