Perspectives on female genital cutting among immigrant women and men in Boston

Shahawy, Sarrah; Amanuel, Hanna; Nour, Nawal M.

doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.11.030

Cited by 16 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Nevertheless, we had not expected this to be such a pervasive conviction among our research participants. Male involvement has been reported to increase negotiations of abandonment [5,65,66], which was confirmed in this study through the stories of two informants who claimed to have escaped FGC mainly due to interference from their fathers. There are also several studies that have identified significant changes in gender roles in the diaspora [30,[67][68][69].…”

Section: Negative Attitude and Disengagementsupporting

confidence: 75%

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Blurred transitions of female genital cutting in a Norwegian Somali community

Johansen

2019

PLoS ONE

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While diaspora communities have become more critical of Female Genital Cutting (FGC), there are also trends of continuity. To explore the interplay between continuity and change, I designed a study among Somali migrants in Norway. A team of six Somali research assistants collected data from 72 male and female research participants between 16 and 57 years of age through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The aim of the study was to gather knowledge that could improve interventions among migrant populations. The study findings indicate that the experience of FGC as a practice in transition implies that people have to maneuver between different and partly contradictory social norms. The paper first discusses the contradiction between a strong negative attitude toward FGC and very low engagement. The lack of engagement is explained by the increased privatization of FGC and insecurities due to the transition and disempowerment with regard to challenging the FGC practices of relatives based in countries of origin. Second, the paper explores the contradiction between perceptions of FGC as a disappearing practice and the recognition of trends of continuation. Trends of continuation include those related to perceptions of risk during travel to countries of origin, resistance to defibulation, support for sunna circumcision and insecurities regarding the significance of FGC for marriageability. Thus, despite an almost universally negative attitude toward FGC in the form of infibulation, ongoing changes can, to some extent, hamper further change. This suggests that to ensure further progress in the abandonment of the practice, these complex and interconnected expectations must be addressed.

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Section: Negative Attitude and Disengagementsupporting

confidence: 75%

“…Questioning FGC in Somalia, they claimed, would be dismissed as disrespectful, breaking the important norm of showing respect for elders. A similar loss of authority to challenge cultural practices in the country of origin has also been reported from migrants in the USA [66].…”

Section: Negative Attitude and Disengagementsupporting

confidence: 61%

Blurred transitions of female genital cutting in a Norwegian Somali community

Johansen

2019

PLoS ONE

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“…Finally, throughout the participants’ discourse, different strategies and actions to improve healthcare for women and girls affected by FGM as well as the prevention and eradication of the practice of FGM emerged. Participants highlighted the importance of educating and raising awareness among women and men both in their hosts countries and countries of origin [ 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 ]. Participants also mentioned the impact of speaking up and making FGM known globally.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Female Genital Mutilation Consequences and Healthcare Received among Migrant Women: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study

González-Timoneda

Cano

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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European healthcare systems are increasingly being challenged to respond to female genital mutilation (FGM). This study explores the FGM experiences of migrant women coming from FGM-practicing countries residing in a European host country. A qualitative phenomenological study was carried out and 23 participants were included. Data were collected through 18 face-to-face open-ended interviews and a focus group and were analysed using Giorgi’s four-step phenomenological approach. Three main themes were derived: “FGM consequences”, “healthcare received” and “tackling FGM”. Participants highlighted obstetric, gynaecological and genitourinary consequences such as haemorrhages, perineal tears, caesarean delivery, risk of infection, dysmenorrhea, urinary tract infections and dysuria; consequences for sexuality, mainly, dyspareunia, loss of sexual interest and decreased quality of sexual intercourse; and psychological consequences such as loss of self-esteem, feelings of humiliation and fear of social and familial rejection. Women perceived a profound lack of knowledge about FGM from health providers and a lack of sensitive and empathetic care. Some women perceived threatening and disproportionate attitudes and reported negative experiences. Participants highlighted the importance of educating, raising awareness and improving prevention and detection strategies. The findings disclose the need to improve training and institutional plans to address structural and attitudinal barriers to health equity across migrant families in their host countries.

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“…By contrast, there is a growing body of research supporting the conclusion that major cultural change regarding FGC has taken place among the affected groups in Western host countries (e.g., Chu & Akinsulure-Smith, 2016 ; Cohen, Larsson, Hann, Creighton, & Hodes, 2018 ; Gele, Johansen, & Sundby, 2012 ; Gele, Kumar, Hjelde, & Sundby, 2012 ; Gele, Sagbakken, & Kumar, 2015 ; Johansen, 2019 ; Johnsdotter, 2002 ; Johnson-Agbakwu et al, 2014 ; Johnsdotter & Essén, 2015 ; Johnsdotter & Mestre i Mestre, 2015 , 2017 ; Johnsdotter, Moussa, Carlbom, Aregai, & Essén, 2009 ; Koukoui, Hassan, & Guzder, 2017 ; Larsson, Cohen, Hann, Creighton, & Hodes, 2018 ; Shahawy, Amanuel, & Nour, 2019 ; Wade, 2016 ; Wahlberg, Johnsdotter, Selling, Källestål, & Essén, 2017a , 2017b ).…”

Section: Migration and Life In The Diasporamentioning

confidence: 99%