In 2018, to celebrate the centenary of the first British women getting the vote, Milton Keynes Museum asked local women to suggest objects which best represented their lives.
The stories that accompany those objects are now being told in the thought-provoking exhibition.
The HERstory in Objects exhibition has been inspired by the book, A History of Women in 100 Objects.
HERstory in Objects is an incredible large-scale collection of loaned and donated items, which offer a fascinating insight into the lives of women through time; from medieval punishments, to the hard-fought battle to win the vote, and today's modern woman.
It is an exploration, and a celebration of the feminine form, but other objects are emotive for entirely different reasons.
The show has proved so popular that it has been extended - and will remain open unti the end of August.
One of the most harrowing stories relates to the practice of FGM, where the female genitals are deliberately cut, injured or changed, for no medical reason. It can cause long-term problems with sex, childbirth and mental health.
Zubeda’s family wanted the best for her. They wanted her to find a husband. According to the culture in Somalia, a woman who had not been “cut” was not respected, and could be labelled a prostitute.
Zubeda was held down on the ground while her clitoris was cut.
There was no anaesthetic and the cutting instruments, having been used on the previous girl, were not cleaned.
Zubeda’s wound was stitched with thorns, and her legs were tied together with rope to stop her from moving and opening the wound.
Her violent struggles damaged her hips and she has suffered pain ever since. She also watched one girl bleed to death following this treatment.
Zubeda now lives in Northampton. Her daughter has not been cut. She campaigns to draw the world’s attention to the realities of FGM, and to bring an end to the practice.
Hear her story as part of HERstory.
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