Blurred transitions of female genital cutting in a Norwegian Somali community.

R Elise B Johansen,Amy Michelle Debaets

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0220985

R Elise B Johansen, Amy Michelle Debaets

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0220985

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Abstract

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.

Highlights

Female Genital Cutting (FGC) is an almost universal practice among ethnic Somalis, who traditionally practice the most extensive type commonly known as infibulation [1]
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
First, the analysis explored the underlying factors that cause what seems to be a puzzling contrast between a pervasive negative attitude to FGC and the limited initiatives to encourage abandonment

Summary

Introduction

Female Genital Cutting (FGC) is an almost universal practice among ethnic Somalis, who traditionally practice the most extensive type commonly known as infibulation [1]. Following the civil war and unrest in Somalia in the late 1980s, Somalis fled their country in large numbers, which was followed by migration through family reunion. This paper explores perceptions of FGC among ethnic Somalis. Blurred transitions of female genital cutting in a Norwegian Somali community in Norway through a study exploring processes of continuity and change in an interchange between personal perceptions and sociocultural norms and conventions. The Somalis can be described as an ethnic group traditionally inhabiting Somalia (approximately 15 million) and adjacent areas in neighboring countries, including Kenya, Djibouti and Ethiopia (approximately 15 million)[4]. As the last two are the most stable states, most recent studies have been carried out there

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