An Exploration of Female Genital Mutilation

Baron, Erika M.; Denmark, Florence L.

doi:10.1196/annals.1385.018

Cited by 16 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Female genital cutting (FGC), also known as female circumcision and female genital mutilation, is a traditional practice common to most societies in north-eastern Africa, where it was almost universally conducted until some decades ago (Baron and Denmark, 2006;Klouman et al, 2005;Missailidis and Gebre-Medhin, 2000;Msuya et al, 2002;Tag Eldin et al, 2008;UNICEF, 2005). The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that more than 130 million women are affected by FGC worldwide (WHO, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Female genital cutting starts to decline among women in Oromia, Ethiopia

Rahlenbeck

Mekonnen

Melkamu

2010

Reproductive BioMedicine Online

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The study explored factors influencing attitudes towards the practice of female genital cutting (FGC) among women in Oromia region, Ethiopia. Representative data from 2221 women aged 15-49 years from the Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey in 2005 were evaluated. Overall, 88.4% of women had undergone FGC. Prevalence significantly decreased with birth date, ranging from 95.1% in women aged 45-49 years to 75.8% in those aged 15-19 years. Overall, 63.7% of women favoured the discontinuation of FGC, while 29.7% favoured its continuation. Education was strongly correlated with a stance against the practice: while only 54.6% of illiterate women were against it, this figure was 95.5% among women who had completed secondary school. While the reported prevalence was similar among Christian (87.8%) and Islamic women (89.1%), 56.3% of Islamic women favoured discontinuation compared with 70.5% of Christian women. The higher that women scored on empowerment indices, the more they opposed the practice. In logistic regression models, educational level (P=0.001), personal FGC experience (P=0.001), religious affiliation (P=0.02) and self-empowerment were factors (P=0.01 and P=0.004) significantly associated with favouring discontinuation. Future efforts encouraging an end to FGC must include the illiterate population in the Oromia region and focus on improving the status of women.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Female genital cutting starts to decline among women in Oromia, Ethiopia

Rahlenbeck

Mekonnen

Melkamu

2010

Reproductive BioMedicine Online

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“…As a result she will not get married [ 21 ] and will not be allowed to speak at gatherings. Worse still her families may suffer discrimination from the community for failing to follow the custom [ 22 ]. Thus, a woman cannot protect her daughter from the procedure even if she wants to [ 23 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

I knew how it feels but couldn’t save my daughter; testimony of an Ethiopian mother on female genital mutilation/cutting

Adinew

Mekete

2017

Reprod Health

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BackgroundWorld Health Organization defines female genital mutilation/cutting as all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. The practice is common in Ethiopia, especially among Somali (99%) ethnic groups. Even though FGM/C is labeled illegal practice according to the revised 2005 Penal Code of the country, the practice is still responsible for misery of many girls in Ethiopia.MethodsThis personal testimony is presented using woman’s own words. Data were collected through in-depth interview with a woman at Gursum health center, Somali regional state, eastern Ethiopia on June 19/2016. The interview was conducted in a private environment and original names were changed to overcome ethical concerns. Informed written consent was obtained from the participant prior to data collection. The interview was audio-taped using a digital voice recorder, later transcribed and translated verbatim from the local language, Amharic to English.ResultsThe study participant described a range of experiences she had during her own and her daughter’s circumcision. Three themes emerged from the woman’s description: womanhood, social pressure and stigmatization of uncircumcised women and uncertain future.ConclusionEven though the national prevalence may show a decline, FGM/C is still practiced underground. Thus, anti-FGM/C interventions shall take in to account elders influence and incorporate a human rights approach rather than relying merely on the dire health consequences. Further exploration of the determinants of FGM/C on a wider scale is recommended.

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“…FGM may have various consequences, some immediate and some arising later in life. These consequences can be related to physical, psychological, reproductive, and sexual health [19][20][21]. A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study conducted in Saudi Arabia reported that over two-thirds of the study participants were aware of the health-related complications of FGM [4].…”

Section: Effects and Complications Of Female Genital Mutilationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study conducted in Saudi Arabia reported that over two-thirds of the study participants were aware of the health-related complications of FGM [4]. The occurrence and severity of the adverse events due to FGM are dependent upon many factors, including the hygiene of the environment, the skills of the person performing the procedure, the resistance of the child, and how susceptible the victim is to infections [21]. FGM has been previously nicknamed "three feminine sorrows" [22].…”

Section: Effects and Complications Of Female Genital Mutilationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The immediate consequences of FGM include hemorrhage and extreme pain that may lead to shock and loss of consciousness and even death [21]. Women who undergo FGM usually have their legs bound for a period after the procedure, leading to the restriction of fluid drainage and thus increasing the chances of infection of the female reproductive system and the urinary tract, as well as leading to chronic kidney disease and poor wound healing [21].…”

Section: Effects and Complications Of Female Genital Mutilationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Female Genital Mutilation in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review

Almeer¹,

Almulla²,

Almugahwi³

et al. 2021

Cureus

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Female genital mutilation (FGM) or circumcision refers to the unnecessary procedure that damages or removes the external genitalia of females. It is mostly practiced in African countries and some Asian regions, particularly the Middle East, and is performed because of cultural, religious, and social reasons. FGM can negatively affect the lives of women and lead to devastating consequences, ranging from immediate to long-term complications. These complications can be in the physical, psychological, reproductive, or sexual health domains. In this systematic review, we aim to highlight the prevalence and practice of FGM in Saudi Arabia. We conducted a literature search at PubMed to identify studies related to the practice of FGM reported from Saudi Arabia. The results indicate that FGM can still be found in Saudi Arabia both in Saudi women and non-Saudi residents. Most of the non-Saudi women with FGM were Sudanese, Somali, Eritrean, and Egyptian. FGM is prevalent in regions such as Jeddah and Hali, Al Qunfudhah Governorate, Saudi Arabia. FGM is considered illegal in most countries around the world. However, in Saudi Arabia, there is no clear and specific law against the practice of FGM. More research on the practice of FGM in Saudi Arabia needs to be conducted to get a better grasp of the true nature of the problem in the country, which could potentially lead to specific and clear legislation that would prevent the social evil of FGM in Saudi Arabia.

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An Exploration of Female Genital Mutilation

Cited by 16 publications

References 15 publications

Female genital cutting starts to decline among women in Oromia, Ethiopia

Female genital cutting starts to decline among women in Oromia, Ethiopia

I knew how it feels but couldn’t save my daughter; testimony of an Ethiopian mother on female genital mutilation/cutting

Female Genital Mutilation in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review

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