Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in Mali and Mauritania: Understanding Trends and Evaluating Policies

Abstract

Despite international commitments to end female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), very little is known about the effectiveness of national policies in contributing to the abandonment of this harmful practice. To help address this gap in knowledge, we apply a quasi‐experimental research design to study two west African countries, Mali and Mauritania. These countries have marked similarities with respect to practices of FGM/C, but differing legal contexts. A law banning FGM/C was introduced in Mauritania in 2005; in Mali, there is no legal ban on FGM/C. We use nationally representative survey data to reconstruct trends in FGM/C prevalence in both countries, from 1997 to 2011, and then use a difference‐in‐difference method to evaluate the impact of the 2005 law in Mauritania. FGM/C prevalence in Mauritania began to decline slowly for girls born in the early 2000s, with the decline accelerating for girls born after 2005. However, a similar trend is observable in Mali, where no equivalent law has been passed. Additional statistical analysis confirms that the 2005 law did not have a significant impact on reducing FGM/C prevalence in Mauritania. These findings suggest that legal change alone is insufficient for behavioral change with regard to FGM/C. This study demonstrates how it is possible to evaluate national policies using readily available survey data in resource‐poor settings.

Effects of antenatal care visits and health facility delivery on women's choice to circumcise their daughters in sub-Saharan Africa: evidence from demographic and health surveys

“…This may be extremely useful within the subregion, as FGM appears to be culturally entrenched and widely acceptable in several countries, including Guinea, Sierra Leone and Mali. 25 , 49 , 55 , 56 Surprisingly, women who had four or more ANC visits were more likely to circumcise their daughters compared with those with fewer than four ANC visits in Guinea. This finding calls for further research in Guinea to unearth factors that explain the positive association between four or more ANC visits and circumcision of girls 0–14 y of age.…”

“…Legally, there is no law against FGM in Mali, even though the country has endorsed some international resolutions, such as the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM, to raise awareness of efforts to eradicate FGM. 49 In Mali, the practice of FGM is buried in social norms, meaning people who are willing to stop the practice continue to perpetuate it for fear of being ostracised by other community members. Thus many people who might want to abolish the practice are forced by societal norms to continue.…”

Estimating the indirect prevalence of female genital mutilation/cutting in Switzerland

“…Indirect estimates do not account for factors that may influence migrant’s change of behavior, attitudes and beliefs towards FGM/C such as laws prohibiting the practice of FGM/C as well as social pressure not to carry out the traditional practice. However, laws do not always explain the diminishing trend of FGM/C, as similar trends are observed in countries with and without legislation forbidding the practice [ 22 ]. The longer migrants stay in Switzerland, the more acculturation is likely to occur, which could lead either to the abandonment of the practice, or to the preservation of the tradition [ 23 ].…”

Estimating the indirect prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in Switzerland

“…However, laws do not always explain the diminishing trend of the practice, as similar trends are observed in countries with and without legislation forbidding the practice. (22) The longer migrants stay in Switzerland, the more acculturation is likely to occur, which could lead either to the abandonment of the practice, or to the preservation of the tradition (23).…”