In Mavis' own words: "In my native village in Cameroon, women are treated like objects. Female genital mutilation is still practiced. It causes horrible diseases, miscarriages and sometimes even death. Two of my family members died this way. I rebelled against this tradition and made a documentary film on the subject. The authorities said it was not appropriate for a woman to do such a thing. My mother and I were banished from the village. We feared for our safety. I moved, then when I had enough money, I left Cameroon. When I arrived in Canada in 2010, fear haunted me. I was constantly looking over my shoulder. Now, I’m okay. I’m happy to live in a country where when a woman says no, it’s no. I hope to some day sponsor my mother."
Montreal, 2014. Photo by Darren Ell in collaboration with Philippe Montbazet.
