Female genital mutilation (FGM) is happening right now to girls worldwide. Jessica Wynn explains why — and what stops it — on Skeptical Sunday.Welcome to Skeptical Sunday, a special edition of The Jordan Harbinger Show where Jordan and a guest break down a topic that you may have never thought about, open things up, and debunk common misconceptions. This time around, we’re joined by writer and researcher <a href="https://jessicawynn.substack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jessica Wynn</a>!Full show notes and resources can be found here: <a href="https://jordanharbinger.com/1378" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">jordanharbinger.com/1378</a>On This Week's Skeptical Sunday:<ul><li>Female Genital Mutilation isn't a fringe practice — an estimated 230 million women and girls alive today have undergone FGM, and the number is climbing, up 15 percent in eight years. More than two million girls are cut each year, most before their fifth birthday, some within days of being born.</li><li>FGM isn't Islamic — it predates Islam and appears among Christian and non-religious communities alike; the common thread is culture, not theology. "God requires this" is used as control, which is also why trusted religious leaders are among the strongest voices for ending it.</li><li>The decision is overwhelmingly made by women — mothers, grandmothers, aunts — not fathers. But they act inside a system where marriage, status, and inheritance hinge on being cut, so it isn't simply men oppressing women. FGM and child marriage are two gears in one machine.</li><li>The fastest-growing myth is that cutting is safer in a clinic — about one in four recent cases were done by healthcare workers, up to 75 percent in Egypt. There is no safe version. Medicalizing FGM doesn't reduce harm; it lends the practice a veil of legitimacy that helps it survive.</li><li>Here's what actually works: change from the inside out. When communities talk their own way to abandoning FGM, as in Somaliland and Tostan's villages, it sticks. You can help: fund survivor-led groups, check whether your state bans FGM, back healthcare training, and keep the conversation alive.</li><li>Connect with Jordan on <a href="https://twitter.com/JordanHarbinger" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jordanharbinger" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/THEJORDANHARBINGERSHOW" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">YouTube</a>. If you have something you'd like us to tackle here on Skeptical Sunday, drop Jordan a line at <a href="mailto:jordan@jordanharbinger.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">jordan@jordanharbinger.com</a> and let him know!</li><li>Connect with Jessica Wynn at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/iamjessicawynn/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a> (and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/NeverMetJessicas" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a>!), and subscribe to her newsletters: <a href="https://jessicawynn.substack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Between the Lines</a> and <a href="https://storiesbywynn.substack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Where the Shadows Linger</a>!</li></ul><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1344999619?mt=2&ls=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here</a> — even one sentence helps! <ul><li>Sign up for <a href="https://jordanharbinger.com/course" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Six-Minute Networking</a> — our free networking and relationship development mini course — at <a href="https://jordanharbinger.com/course" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">jordanharbinger.com/course</a>!</li><li>Subscribe to our once-a-week <a href="https://www.jordanharbinger.com/news/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Wee Bit Wiser</a> newsletter today and start filling your Wednesdays with wisdom!</li><li>Do you even Reddit, bro? <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/JordanHarbinger/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Join us at r/JordanHarbinger</a>!</li></ul>This Episode Is Brought To You By <a href="https://www.jordanharbinger.com/deals/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Our Fine Sponsors</a>: <ul><li>Xero: <a href="https://www.xero.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">One month of Xero for free: xero.com</a></li><li>The Cybersecurity Tapes: <a href="https://thecybersecuritytapes.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Listen here: thecybersecuritytapes.com</a></li><li>Quince: <a href="https://www.quince.com/jordan" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Free shipping & 365-day returns: quince.com/jordan</a></li><li> ConciergeMD: <a href="https://conciergemdla.com/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Jordan&utm_campaign=JordanHarbinger+" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">20% off all services/memberships: conciergemdla.com/jordan, code JORDAN</a></li><li>Progressive Insurance: <a href="https://www.progressive.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Free online quote: progressive.com</a></li></ul>See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy</a> and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info</a>.

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