Female genital mutilation (FGM) has historically been seen as a health concern limited to women living in other parts of the world. However, with the rising number of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, countries like New Zealand, Australia and Europe have seen a surge in the number of women and girls affected by FGM seeking medical care. This topic is increasingly becoming relevant to primary health-care providers in this country and therefore a good understanding of this practice is important.
This paper examines ActionAid’s effort to get rid of Female Genital Mutilation in Kenya, whereby it focuses on the grassroot initiatives at eradicating the practice. Female Genital Mutilation is a violation of human rights, and a severe form of gender Based violence which is deeply rooted in certain cultural and social norms across various communities. The study highlights ActionAid’s multifaceted approach, including advocacy, community mobilization, and legal support, as well as the provision of direct services to women and girls at risk of FGM. Key strategies such as Women’s Watch groups, legal education, and alternative livelihoods for surgeons are discussed, emphasizing the role of local communities in effecting lasting change. The paper also addresses the importance of engaging men, local leaders, and youth in the fight against FGM, with specific reference to ActionAid’s initiatives in Kenya, where FGM remains prevalent in certain ethnic groups. Through these efforts, ActionAid has made significant strides in reducing the practice and shifting cultural perceptions surrounding FGM. The study concludes by emphasizing the importance of continued education, legal reform, and community-led action in the long-term goal of eliminating FGM and promoting gender equality.
John Philip Sele, Faith Nyakerario, Cynthia Wanjiku
BACKGROUND: Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a harmful practice that violates the human rights of women and girls. Education plays a crucial role in stopping and preventing FGM by raising awareness through individual counseling, as well as group education at health facilities. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of group education or one-on-one FGM prevention counseling or information sharing in preventing FGM in communities that practice FGM. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched electronic databases from inception to May 2023 for published and gray literature, without language restrictions. SELECTION CRITERIA: Controlled studies, including before-and-after studies were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Studies were independently assessed for inclusion, data extraction, risk of bias, and grading of the evidence. MAIN RESULTS: Four observational studies were included. Very low-certainty evidence showed that a higher proportion of individuals in group education plus information sharing had improved knowledge about FGM and its complications (relative risk [RR] 3.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.56-3.74; 816 participants), attitude against FGM (RR 1.92, 95% CI 1.59-2.32; 816 participants), and commitment not perform FGM (RR 1.95, 95% CI 1.74-2.19; 816 participants) compared with "no intervention". Group education plus advocacy may improve knowledge about FGM and its complications (RR 1.22, 95% CI 1.14-1.31; 819 participants), attitude (RR 2.16, 95% CI 1.79-2.61; 819 participants) and commitment to not perform FGM (RR 2.59, 95% CI 1.95-3.43; 819 participants) versus "no intervention". CONCLUSIONS: Community-based educational interventions may improve knowledge of FGM, its complications, and decrease support for FGM.
Anne Ndidi Meremikwu, Olabisi Adejibike Oduwole, Chyoma Oringanje et al.
INTRODUCTION: Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) refers to ritual surgical procedures performed that intentionally alter genitalia for nonmedical purposes. Female genital mutilation/ cutting is a lifelong problem for women that can have detrimental effects on menstruation, pregnancy, sexual health, and self-esteem. In 2016 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated 513,000 women and children in the United States were victims of or at risk for FGM/C. Currently, few studies discuss potential management options for FGM/C and their associated complications. Aims of this study are to review contemporary research on FGM/C, discuss current surgical therapies in the pediatric and adult populations, and draw attention to the urgent need for further education. METHODS: The authors conducted a literature review using PubMed, and identified 731 articles in the adult and pediatric populations. The articles were cross-referenced with 2 systematic reviews, and duplicates were discarded. Based on our criteria, 9 articles were included. RESULTS: Based on our findings, defibulation offers patients a better quality of life with a low rate of complication. Similarly, clitoral reconstruction has shown favorable results for treatment of FGM/C. Using the Female Sexual Function Index can better help standardize measurements of sexual health outcomes. Currently, established clinical guidelines are lacking and there is limited training on the recognition and treatment of FGM/C. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports clitoral reconstruction and defibulation as effective therapies for FGM/C. Reconstructive surgeons are at the forefront of developing and providing these surgical treatments. Further research including randomized controlled studies and long-term follow-up are needed to better elucidate the best therapeutic options.
Lavanya Easwaran, Sarah A. Eidelson, Anika Jain et al.
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.
