Real Housewives of Dubai star Chanel Ayan reveals she was forced to undergo female genital mutilation

Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Real Housewives of Dubai star Chanel Ayan has spoken candidly about being forced to undergo female genital mutilation as a young child, in the hopes of raising awareness about the dangerous circumcisions. “I just didn’t understand what the hell was going on whatsoever and my mom didn’t know that that was happening to us.” Female genital mutilation involves the “partial or total removal of external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons,” according to the World Health Organisation, which notes that the practise, which has no health benefits, can cause” severe bleeding and problems urinating, and later cysts, infections, as well as complications in childbirth and increased risk of newborn deaths”. Although Ayan said that her mother was not aware that she and her sister had been subjected to the female genital mutilation, she told the therapist during the 17 August episode that her childhood wasn’t without additional traumas, as she recalled “the crying, the sadness, the beatings” while growing up with her parents and siblings. Thank you Ayan,” one person wrote, while another viewer said: “I’m so proud of Ayan, for opening about female genital mutilation and for wanting to advocate for other young girls/women.