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‘RHODubai’ fans heartbroken as Chanel Ayan’s genital mutilation at age 5 comes to limelight

'OMG! What Ayan went through at the age of 5…that is horrible #rhodubai,' commented a fan

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Thanks to her quick wit and hilarious commentary, Chanel Ayan became an instant fan-favorite housewife amongst the 'Real Housewives of Dubai' cast. But underneath her funny and easy-going personality, the Kenyan supermodel harbors a pretty traumatic past. 

Previously, Chanel tugged at the audience's heartstrings when she opened up about her strained relationship with her father after he tried selling her when she was young. But when the housewife revealed that she was put through female genital mutilation (FGM) at the tender age of five, fans were left feeling shocked and heartbroken for her. On her fellow housewife Sara Al Madani's insistence, Chanel decided to meet with a healer to help her work through her traumas. During their session, the healer asked Chanel about her memories from her childhood. Chanel immediately broke down and recounted how she had a very difficult and traumatic childhood growing up in Kenya. She then recounted how at the age of five, when her mother was away, her aunts came home and took Chanel away. They took the supermodel to a person who circumcised her. 

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Chanel recalled how her legs were tied down and she was pinned down by her aunts, while they snipped away her clitoris. The housewife cried hysterically as she remembered feeling confused and in pain. She couldn't urinate, sit, or do anything. She had to go see a doctor when she decided to get married to get the stitched removed. The housewife questioned what was done to her and wondered why anybody would do that to young girls. 

After hearing Chanel's horrific account of FGM, several 'RHODubai' fans took to Twitter to laud her for her bravery and opening up about the barbaric practice of FGM. A fan tweeted, "Ayan has been through literal hell. The story she shared on tonight’s episode was horrific. Absolutely devastating What she said about healing & forgiveness was so powerful. Very inspiring #rhodubai." "Holy s**t. Ayan's story has me just sick to my stomach. she's insanely brave for speaking up wow #RHODubai," wrote a fan. Another fan commented, "Yikes!!!! I think I need to chain smoke and see a therapist myself after sittin through Chanel Ayan’s childhood trauma. I’m speechless #RHODubai." "Hearing Ayan’s story makes me so sad. her, her sister and any other woman shouldn’t have to go through that #RHODubai," added a fan.

Another fan shared, "OMG! What Ayan went through at the age of 5…that is horrible #rhodubai." "My heart is absolutely breaking for Ayan. It is great to bring more awareness to this horrible mutilation of children, and I hope this can bring change to a horrible "tradition" #RHODubai," observed a fan. Female genital mutilation is a detestable violation of one's basic human rights. And being that: To finally put an end to this damaging procedure, it will require all of us (worldwide) banding together — let's use Ayan's touching personal story, as a call to do more. #RHODUBAI," expressed a fan. "Female genital mutilation is an awful practice with no benefit besides a man’s ego! I’m so sad that happened to Ayan at just 5 years old! So traumatic and I hope she continues counseling for healing. #RHODubai," seconded a fan.

'Real Housewives of Dubai' airs every Wednesday at 9/8c on Bravo.

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