Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: A Systematic Review and Meta-Ethnography Exploring Women’s Views of Why It Exists and Persists

Abstract

Objectives: Despite well-documented negative consequences, female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) continues to be widely practised. In this systematic review, we investigated women's views of why FGM/C exists and persists. Methods: A meta-ethnographic approach was used in this systematic review of qualitative research. Results: Twenty-seven studies were included in this review and they represented the views and experiences of 823 women. FGM/C was considered a Ôrite of passageÕ which was enforced to curb the expression of their sexuality and maintain social and gender norms within its communities. Nevertheless, attitudes towards FGM/C were changing among migrant populations. Conclusions: Creating community awareness projects, enforcing strict laws coupled with increasing health professional involvement may reduce the incidence of FGM/C. Background Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), involves the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital

Mental and sexual health outcomes associated with FGM/C in Africa: a systematic narrative synthesis

“…More recently there has been a surge of literature on FGM/C and health outcomes of women 4 , 41 and a few studies recently have drawn attention to psychosocial import of the practice. 42 , 43 , 44 Overall, however, very little attention continues to be paid to the link between mental health and socio-psychological and physical health consequences of FGM/C.…”