Dawoodi Bohra Women for Religious Freedom

DBWRF

ITS

Dr Munira Radhanpurwala

Dr Fatema Jetpurwala

A female genital mutilation survey asks for personal identification numbers.An ongoing survey about the religious practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) or khatna/khafz is raising the hackles of women in the Dawoodi Bohra community. Three female doctors allegedly belonging to the) – a self-proclaimed group campaigning for religious freedom – have circulated a survey that asks for respondents’numbers, raising doubts about confidentiality. The ITS number is Dawoodi Bohras’ personal identification number with personal details and also the number of times a person visits the mosque. Conducted by Dr Tasneem Saify,T and Dr Rakhee K, the survey asks “extremely personal and religious questions”.According to the women in the community, disclosing the ITS number not only infringes on a Bohra woman’s privacy but also defeats the purpose of confidentiality. Some women believe that the survey is intended to counter the two existing surveys on khatna in the community (Sahiyo’s 2017 online survey of Bohra women found 80 per cent prevalence rate, with 81 per cent wanting to end the practice; and WeSpeakOut’s 2018 field survey that found 75 per cent prevalence, with a large population expressing support for the practice). Sahiyo and WeSpeakOut are organisations campaigning against FGM.Aarefa Johari, co-founder of Sahiyo, called the latest survey a farce.According to her it’s contradictory to ask the respondents to disclose just their first names but reveal their ITS numbers. “It is no secret that the ITS card has often been used to monitor members of the community, as it contains information about frequency of attending the mosque and other Bohra events. Perhaps the surveyors think it will be an effective way to ensure that only the practicing Dawoodi Bohras answer the survey,” said Johari.Some of the questions asked include: “Are you aware of the activist movement speaking out against khatna/khafz?” “What are your thoughts about those who speak out against the practice of khatna?” “Did you know that khatna is not mutilation?” Insiya L, another Dawoodi Bohra opposing khatna, suspects the intention of the survey. “They know that those opposing FGM will never disclose their ITS numbers. If we speak out openly, repercussions will also be felt by other members in the family,” she said.According to Andheri resident Lubaina Rangwala, “The personal and political questions in the survey set the alarm bells ringing for me. All the questions are biased in this survey. To judge us, they want to know whether we follow the Sydena (high priest).”Mirror tried contacting Dr Munira Radhanpurwala and even sent an email but received no response. Whenfrom DBWRF was contacted, she said the three doctors were independent researchers.“They are not connected with DBWRF and I think they are independently trying to research on khatna. We do not ask for ITS numbers. Our survey only asks for basic details. I believe in this religious practice which isn’t harmful,” she said. But Dawoodi Bohra women don’t seem convinced. “If they are independent researchers why do they need ITS numbers?” asks Jumana Lanewala.