Ep 5. Mrs. Goundo's Daughter

Afropop: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange is a documentary series that focuses on the various cultural exchanges that exist between Africa and the rest of the world. In season 3 episode 5, titled Mrs. Goundo's Daughter, we follow the story of a woman named Mrs. Goundo and her struggle to keep her daughter safe from the cultural practice of female genital mutilation (FGM).

Mrs. Goundo is a Malian woman who migrated to the United States as a refugee to escape the civil war in her home country. However, despite living in a new and supposedly safer environment, Mrs. Goundo still faces the constant threat of FGM being performed on her young daughter, Djenebou. FGM is deeply ingrained in Malian culture and women who do not undergo the procedure are often ostracized and shamed by their communities.

Mrs. Goundo's story highlights the difficult choices that many immigrant women face when trying to navigate between their culture of origin and their new home. She wants to ensure that her daughter grows up free from the threat of FGM, but at the same time she does not want to be seen as betraying her cultural heritage. Through Mrs. Goundo's story, we are able to see the complexity of issues surrounding FGM and the ways in which immigrant women have to navigate between cultures in order to create a safe and welcoming home for themselves and their families.

The documentary also features interviews with experts on FGM, including medical professionals and women who have undergone the procedure themselves. These interviews help to shed light on the physical and emotional trauma that FGM can cause, as well as the ways in which it perpetuates gender inequality and reinforces harmful cultural norms.

Overall, Mrs. Goundo's Daughter is a powerful and thought-provoking episode that raises important questions about cultural practices, gender inequality, and the experiences of immigrant women. The documentary is both informative and moving, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of listening to and respecting the experiences of those from different cultures and backgrounds.