HIDDEN SCARS – A custom started by the ancient Pharaohs, female genital mutilation (FGM) is practiced in 92 countries around the globe; today there are 200 million survivors and four million girls every year are at risk of being cut. This photojournalism endeavor will combine photography and editorial storytelling, capturing the restoration experience from the survivor’s point of view, exploring how FGM has affected each woman’s physical and mental health, their marital relations, childbirth, child-rearing and social status.

In 2019 Roberta Staley and Tallulah reported for Broadview Magazine  and will continue this project by reporting on the work of Dr. Marci Bowers of San Francisco and OB/GYN Dr. Angela Deane of Calgary in 2021. Their team  will undertake clitoral restoration surgery on 140 African and Middle Eastern women who have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM.) The surgeries will take place in Nairobi, Kenya. After enduring a lifetime of pain, infection and sexual dysfunction, the reconstructive surgery is life changing, rebuilding and restoring women’s genitals by removing scar tissue, allowing urine and menstrual blood to be expelled normally. This photojournalism endeavor combines photography and editorial storytelling, capturing the restoration experience from the survivor’s point of view.