Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a harmful practice associated with a range of health complications. Achieving abandonment of FGM is an international priority, which requires multi-sectoral actions, including engagement of the health sector to provide high quality care to women and girls affected by FGM while also taking actions to promote prevention.
This paper examines the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) among the Dawoodi Bohra community in Pakistan. FGM, a non-therapeutic alteration of the female genitalia, is examined through the lenses of religion, culture and health. The Dawoodi Bohra, predominantly based in Karachi, practice FGM as a religious and cultural rite, linking it to notions of purity and social acceptance. Despite global efforts to outlaw and eradicate FGM, it persists, underpinned by deeply held beliefs and the insular nature of the community. The physical and psychological effects of FGM are profound, leading to immediate and long-term complications such as severe pain, infection and psychological trauma. This paper discusses the impact of these practices on women’s health and rights, while critiquing the lack of an effective legal framework in Pakistan to combat FGM. In addressing this issue, the paper contributes to the broader discourse on gender-based violence and the rights of women and children in patriarchal societies.
BACKGROUND: Female genital cutting, also termed female genital mutilation (FGM), is a damaging practice with no health benefits for girls or women, and is considered to be a violation of children's rights. METHODS: A cross-sectional, community-based study using interview administered questionnaire to explore knowledge and attitude of people living in a rural area in Minia. Systematic random sampling was used to interview 618 males and females above the age of 18 in the period from September to November 2016. RESULTS: FGM was performed on 76.6% of females, complications occurred in 35.6% of them. Females demonstrated a higher level of knowledge than males. Nearly 56% of respondents believed that this practice should continue. Females were more supportive of the continuation of FGM than men (60.3% vs. 47.9%). The attitude that FGM is a good practice, knowledge level, women's status and religion were significantly associated with women's willingness to subject their daughters to FGM in the future. Attitude was the only significant predictor associated with men's willingness to subject their daughters to FGM. CONCLUSION: The strong correlation between social pressure and intentions to carry out FGM means that FGM practice will continue to be embraced among future generations unless policies are put in place to eradicate this practice through empowering females by education and reasonable income.
Eman Sameh Mohammed, Amany Edward Seedhom, Eman Mohammed Mahfouz
Although the prevalence of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) in Egypt among married women aged 15–49 years is high (92 percent), in the most recent (2014) Demographic and Health Survey, prevalence rates appear to be declining among younger cohorts of girls and women. Support for the discontinuation of the practice is more widespread in younger generations, among females, and among those living in urban areas. Variations in attitudes toward FGM/C by education level and wealth status are also documented. While numerous studies have examined the reasons why people practice FGM/C, few studies have examined the characteristics of the individuals who have abandoned the practice. In this study, we sought to examine the characteristics of abandoners and explore the geographic patterns of FGM/C abandonment; explore benefits gained and challenges faced by abandoners within their families/communities; and understand how families and individuals overcome social sanctions and mitigate against the risk of relapse.
Abstract Background The extensive practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) is common in Nigerian societies, and it is generally done on infants as early as eight days after giving birth to them in early childhood, but it is usually done before marriage or before the first child is delivered. FGM has apparently caused pain to women, varying from infection, haemorrhage to difficulty in childbirth, even emotional distress. Objectives This study wherefore investigated the awareness and practice of female genital mutilation in Alimosho local government area, Lagos state, Nigeria to recognize the influence of the practice of FGM and suggest how to stop the danger of FGM in the society. A cross-sectional study was done to appraise the awareness and practices of female genital mutilation among the residents of Alimosho local government area of Lagos state. Methods A self-structured questionnaire was given to 301 males and females selected randomly, and the data were analysed using the Chi-square statistical tool. Result The result shows that while there is a significant level of knowledge and awareness regarding Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in this area, there remains a minute section of the populace that are unaware of the danger associated with the practice of FGM. Conclusion It is highly commendable that women and men should be educated by the health personnel or people who are well educated on the danger FGM imposes on their health in order to stop the practice of FGM, and the government should enforce the penalties on the violators of FGM laws.
BACKGROUND: Current evidence on the decline in the prevalence of female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C) has been lacking worldwide. This study analyses the prevalence estimates and secular trends in FGM/C over sustained periods (ie, 1990-2017). Its aim is to provide analytical evidence on the changing prevalence of FGM/C over time among girls aged 0-14 years and examine geographical variations in low-income and middle-income countries. METHODS: Analysis on the shift in prevalence of FGM/C was undertaken using the Demographic Health Survey (DHS) and Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) data sets from Africa and Middle East. A random-effects model was used to derive overall prevalence estimates. Using Poisson regression models, we conducted time trends analyses on the FGM/C prevalence estimates between 1990 and 2017. FINDINGS: We included 90 DHS and MICS data sets for 208 195 children (0-14 years) from 29 countries spread across Africa and two countries in Western Asia. The prevalence of FGM/C among children varied greatly between countries and regions and also within countries over the survey periods. The percentage decline in the prevalence of FGM/C among children aged 0-14 years old was highest in East Africa, followed by North and West Africa. The prevalence decreased from 71.4% in 1995 to 8.0% in 2016 in East Africa. In North Africa, the prevalence decreased from 57.7% in 1990 to 14.1% in 2015. In West Africa, the prevalence decreased from 73.6% in 1996 to 25.4% in 2017. The results of the trend analysis showed a significant shift downwards in the prevalence of FGM/C among children aged 0-14 years in such regions and subregions of East Africa, North Africa and West Africa. East Africa has experienced a much faster decrease in the prevalence of the practice (trend=-7.3%, 95% CI -7.5% to -7.1%) per year from 1995 to 2014. By contrast, the decline in prevalence has been much slower in North Africa (trend=-4.4%, 95% CI -4.5% to -4.3%) and West Africa (trend=-3.0%, 95% CI -3.1% to -2.9%). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of FGM/C among children aged 0-14 years varied greatly between countries and regions and also within countries over the survey periods. There is evidence of huge and significant decline in the prevalence of FGM/C among children across countries and regions. There is a need to sustain comprehensive intervention efforts and further targeted efforts in countries and regions still showing high prevalence of FGM/C among children, where the practice is still pervasive.
Ngianga‐Bakwin Kandala, Martinsixtus C. Ezejimofor, Olalekan Abdulrahman Uthman et al.
Feb 6 marked the annual International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)—a violation of girls' and women's health and human rights. It is estimated that more than 200 million women and girls have been subjected to FGM; in addition, each year, an estimated 3 million girls are at risk. FGM is an extreme form of violence and discrimination against girls and women, reflecting deep-rooted gender inequality.
Female Genital Mutilation is practiced in more than 30 countries including India. The practice of female genital mutilation towards young girls is a very derogatory, barbaric and inhumane. FGM interferes with normal healthy female genital tissue and sexuality, and is a violation of every woman’s right to the highest attainable standard of health. FGM violates a series of well-established human rights principles, norms and standards, including the principles of equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sex, the right to bodily integrity, the right to life (in cases where the procedure results in death), and the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. FGM reflects deep-rooted inequality and constitutes an extreme form of discrimination against women. FGM is practiced in India by the name of Khatna or Khafz/Khafd by Bohra community, a Shia sub-sect found most prominently in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh, although there are no official records on the same, but this has been going on behind the stage. This paper is an attempt to highlight the silent existence of this life-threatening practice behind the curtain of culture and religion, tracing the reasons for practice, its consequences, existing legislations, role of international organizations, lastly it emphasizes on the alarming need of a specific legislation on criminalization of Female Genital Mutilation in India.
