Woman, Why Do You Weep? is the first book by a Sudanese woman to deal in scholarly fashion with female circumcision and infibulation in Sudan. Based on a largescale statistical survey,
Dr. El Dareer presents detailed evidence as to the extent of the practice, the ages at which the three operations of varying severity are performed, and the allied practices of dein fibulation and reinfibulation. She focusses particularly on the health problems resulting from the custom, and gives a fascinating account of the very varied attitudes which Sudanese women and men have towards it. The final chapter recounts the history of the (ineffectual) efforts to abolish female circumcision, and suggests concrete steps that ought now to be undertaken.
Asma El Dareer is a doctor who has long been involved in health and development activities in the Sudan where she works as Deputy Director of Health Statistics and Research in the Ministry
of Health. She has written extensively in Arabic and spoken at meetings worldwide on the subject of female circumcision in the Sudan. From 1977 to 1981 she headed a project carried out by
the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Khartoum on female circumcision. This book incorporates the findings of that research. Amongst her many other campaigning and educational activities, Asma El Dareer has also served as President of the Babiker Bedri Scientific Association for Women’s Studies.
