“We all have the power to be heroic”. Activist Khadija Gbla believes that culture is not a defence for child abuse, and she’s doing something about it.  Her story is shocking - at just 9 years old her mother took her to a hut in West Africa, where she was pinned down as her clitoris was sawn off with a rusty knife. And although her mother says she did it out of love, Khadija has spent her life fighting against what was done to her, which she now knows as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).   In this episode Khadija tells host Georgie Abay about growing up caught between two cultures, about the way female empowerment is perceived, and about how FGM is a symbol of sexism and misogyny in Australia (yes, it happens here too). And although her story is horrific, Khadija is warm, funny, and passionate about her message.   You’ll hear how the sealed section in Dolly and Girlfriend magazines started Khadija’s journey to self-discovery. You’ll hear about how FGM affected her pregnancy and birth, and how she’s grappled with her identity, culture, and disability. Most importantly, you’ll hear about her incredible advocacy and how she hopes to change the future for girls.   This is a moving and unmissable episode.  Go to khadijagbla.com.au    About AllBright Welcome to your global sisterhood - the leading career network for women, online and IRL. AllBright champions women in all fields to supercharge their careers and change the game, with daily events, training, networking, and coaching opportunities. From our world-class clubs around the world, to our incredible online membership platform, AllBright is here to celebrate working women worldwide. Sign up for a membership and find support, inspiration, encouragement, and maybe even your next collaborator through our Sisterhood Matching. We're here for you. Visit digital.allbrightcollective.com to claim your 14 day free trial and see why the future looks AllBright.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.