Cases Of Female Genital Mutilation Research Articles

The Effectiveness of Radio Talk Shows by UNICEF Ethiopia in Increasing Knowledge and Changing Attitudes and Behaviors Around Child Marriage, Female Genital Mutilation, and Gender Equality

Female genital mutilation (FGM), child marriage (CM), and gender inequality are some practices that are discriminatory and abusive to women and deny them the potential to live better and more inclusive lives. UNICEF in collaboration with other partners have initiated radio talk shows (RTS)in SNNP, Oromia, Somali, and Afar regions with the aim of addressing these issues. This evaluation study assessed the effectiveness of these shows on these matters. The study used a cross-sectional survey approach blended with key informant interviews to interrogate the issue at hand. A stratified cluster sampling method was used to identify 458 subjects to participate in the study. The study found that not many people have been reached by the radio talk shows. Those reached had acquired knowledge/enlightenment and attitude change that is positive towards lowering cases of FGM, CM, and gender inequality. The study thus found radio talk shows to be effective in increasing knowledge and attitude that could bring about social behavior change. It was recommended that UNICEF to scale up RTS into unreached areas to expand the reach hence the impact of the shows on FGM, CM, and gender equality.

Female genital mutilation in the Canary Islands: A qualitative study on the perspectives of women and healthcare professionals

IntroductionMigration to Western countries is associated with social and health challenges that are difficult to manage. Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a harmful practice that still occurs in the 21st century. According to the World Health Organization, FGM is a ritual procedure involving the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for non-therapeutic reasons. Objectives(I) To explore the experiences of women residing in the Canary Islands, in Spain, who had suffered FGM, and their assessment of the healthcare received. (II) To explore the perspectives of healthcare professionals who had attended to these cases, care pathways, and prevention. MethodsA qualitative study, phenomenologically oriented based on a pragmatic perspective, was conducted. We conducted open in-person interviews, and written documents were sent via email for data collection. Purposeful and snowball sampling methods were used to select women who had undergone FGM and healthcare providers who had attended to such patients. Nine participants were recruited, five health professionals and four women. Although the sample size was not very large, the data had enough depth and richness to meet the goals of the study. The data were analyzed using the thematic analysis technique. ResultsSix main themes emerged, including the “meaning of FGM,” “health consequences,” “benefits of treatments,” “knowledge about FGM,” “experiences of professionals and with professionals,” and “recommendations of professionals in improving care.” ConclusionsProfessionals and women identified the lack of training to address this problem, and both parties perceived FGM as a negative practice. The women lack knowledge about the relationship between some health problems they suffer and FGM, which poses a challenge for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, professionals need to know in detail all health conditions related to FGM to diagnose and treat these women more accurately. When affected women arrive in Western countries and receive correct information on the consequences of FGM, they are more likely to reject this practice. The identification of cases of FGM in women born in the Canary Islands urges the need to develop strategies to avoid such situations.

What interventions are effective to prevent or respond to female genital mutilation? A review of existing evidence from 2008-2020.

As the final decade of acceleration towards zero new cases of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM, SDG Target 5.3) by 2030 has begun, increasing the rigour, relevance, and utility of research for programming, policy development and resource allocation is critical. This study aimed to synthesize and assess the quality and strength of existing evidence on interventions designed to prevent or respond to FGM between 2008 and 2020.The study drew on a Rapid Evidence Assessment of the available literature on FGM interventions. The quality of studies was assessed using the 'How to Note: Assessing the Strength of Evidence' guidelines published by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and strength of evidence using a modified Gray scale developed by the What Works Association. Of the 7698 records retrieved, 115 studies met the inclusion criteria. Of the 115 studies, 106 were of high and moderate quality and were included in the final analysis. This review shows that at the system level, legislation-related interventions must be multifaceted to be effective. Whilst all levels would benefit from more research, for the service level especially more research is needed into how the health system can effectively prevent and respond to FGM. Community-level interventions are effective for changing attitudes towards FGM, but more must be done to innovate with these interventions so that they move beyond affecting attitudes alone to creating behaviour change. At the individual level, formal education is effective in reducing FGM prevalence among girls. However, the returns of formal education in ending FGM may take many years to be realized. Interventions targeting intermediate outcomes, such as improvement in knowledge and change in attitudes and beliefs towards FGM, are equally needed at the individual level.

From the War on Terror to the Moral Crusade Against Female Genital Mutilation: Anti-Muslim Racism and Femonationalism in the United States.

This article investigates the recent flurry of state-level legislation regarding female genital mutilation (FGM), which occurred in the aftermath of the first federal criminal court case of FGM in 2017. Drawing on publicly available material, it shows how this court case, which involved a group of Muslims of Indian heritage, elicited a moral crusade against FGM, largely led by Republican lawmakers, and spurred a resurgence of anti-Muslim discourses, which first came to the fore after 9/11 to legitimate the "war on terror." Although FGM is not an Islamic practice and is also carried out by non-Muslim groups, the author concludes that femonationalism and anti-Muslim racism are important analytical lens for understanding the recent history of legislative efforts to combat FGM in the U.S.

Raising Awareness of Female Genital Mutilation Through Theater.

This article considers several plays by European playwrights that focus on cases of female genital mutilation, with the goal of raising awareness among their communities of the practice itself, the reason it exists or persists, and the consequences it has had on the lives of the women who have undergone it. The plays discussed are "Kubra" by Dacia Maraini (2016); Little Stitches by Bahar Brunton, Karis E. Halsall, Isley Lynn and Raúl Quirós Molina (2014); and Cuttin' It by Charlene James (2016).

The Practice of Female Genital Mutilation in Africa And the Challenges Facing Its Eradication: Nigeria As A Case Study

Female genital mutilation (FGM) has continued to thrive across several countries of the world, remaining a rampant practice despite humanitarian and public health efforts to abolish it. FGM is currently estimated to affect over 200 million females globally, with Nigeria having the highest absolute numbers of cases of FGM in Africa. This review highlights the prevalence of FGM in Nigeria and across Africa, using the latest data available through PubMed and other electronic database with the aid of Google search engine. It aims to discuss the impacts of the humanitarian efforts and national policies toward the abolition of FGM in Nigeria over the years as well as the challenges facing the abandonment of this practice. Studies have shown a decline in the prevalence of FGM over the years, however it still continues to thrive and pose significant public health challenge in Nigeria and across Africa, violating fundamental human rights of women and the girl-child. Socio-cultural belief has been found to contribute significantly to the continuity of this harmful practice. Ensuring the implementation of essential government policies, inter-sectorial collaborations and the continuous sensitization of the general public are vital to the elimination of FGM in Nigeria and across Africa.

UNICEF’s Involvement in Reducing Cases of Female Genital Mutilation in Indonesia, 2014–2021

FGM is the practice of injuring the female external genitalia, which is carried out on girls aged 0–14 years, and this practice has been declared a violation of human rights. As an international organization whose goal is to realize children's rights, since 2008 UNICEF has strongly opposed this practice and promised to provide assistance to countries experiencing FGM, including Indonesia. Indonesia has been declared the fourth country in the world to carry out FGM practices and this must receive serious attention. Through qualitative research using international organization theory, the authors will analyze the extent of UNICEF's roles and strategies in helping reduce the practice of Female Genital Mutilation in Indonesia. The findings from this study indicate that UNICEF has carried out several programs such as agreements with the Indonesian government, disseminating information to Indonesian communities, activists and society, and providing legal assistance or advocacy to stop FGM cases. However, there had been policy dynamics from the Indonesian government towards this practice, causing obstacles that made the realization of eliminating the practice of FGM slow.

UNICEF's Involvement in Reducing Cases of Female Genital Mutilation in Indonesia, 2014–2021

UNICEF's Involvement in Reducing Cases of Female Genital Mutilation in Indonesia, 2014–2021

Girls at risk: FGM intentions among in-school adolescents of a rural community in Osun State, Nigeria

Purpose Knowledge of adolescents’ intention to sustain female genital mutilation (FGM) practice is required to guide efforts to eradicate FGM in Africa and Asia where about 200 million women are affected. Nigeria has one of the highest FGM cases in the world. The study sought to determine the knowledge, attitude, and intentions of adolescents to sustain FGM practice when they become parents. Materials and methods This study is a cross-sectional descriptive survey of 195 in-school adolescents aged 14–19 years, in Imesi-Ile, a rural town in South-west Nigeria selected through a multistage sampling method Results Overall, 44.6% of adolescents had good knowledge of FGM, while 44.6% had a positive attitude and 55.4% had a negative attitude towards FGM. More females (57.4%) have a negative attitude towards FGM. About 42.1% of adolescents intend to continue the practice of FGM, while 47% have no intentions and 10.8% remain undecided. Gender, age group and family affluence were not statistically associated with intention to continue FGM. Conclusion Intention to continue FGM practice is high among adolescents in the rural community. FGM eradication campaign among adolescents should seek to improve knowledge, attitude and intentions towards FGM practice.

Does local resistance impact the transnational normative environment? The case of female genital mutilation (FGM)

More than 200 million girls and women today are estimated to have gone through female genital mutilation (FGM). In this study, I make a novel contribution to the global literature on FGM by examining domestic resistance to the anti-FGM norm in the context of norm diffusion processes. I provide a novel theoretical perspective to the study of FGM by introducing a compromise-building approach. According to this approach, strong local resistance to a transnational norm that obligates the removal of harmful traditional practices might motivate some transnational norm advocates to support a compromise solution to minimize harm, leading to normative contestation in the transnational domain. This approach is illustrated by the rise of advocacy for medicalized and minor forms of FGM as a harm reduction strategy as a result of the continuation of traditional forms of FGM. The compromise-building approach also brings a new theoretical perspective to the literature on norm diffusion.

Female Genital Mutilation: Knowledge and Skills of Health Professionals.

Background: Female genital mutilation (FGM) is any process that injures female genitals for non-medical reasons and is a violation of women’s human rights. An important number of women from countries where FGM is performed are arriving to Western countries. Health professionals are important for detecting cases of FGM. No surveys to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices on FGM among healthcare professionals has been conducted in Castilla la Mancha (Spain) until now. Methods: The main goal of the study is assessing knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of healthcare professionals in relation to FGM. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted based on self-administered online surveys to nurses, midwives, family doctors, pediatricians, obstetrics and gynecologists. Results: In total, 1168 professionals answered the surveys. Just 13.9% indicated that they had received training in FGM, however just 10.7% correctly identified the three types of FGM, 10.7% the countries where it is usually practiced, 33.9% knew the legislation in Spain and only 4.4% found a case of FGM during their professional practice. Regarding the knowledge about protocols, 8.64% of the sample indicated to know one of them. Conclusion: The present study demonstrate that it is necessary to improve the training and awareness of healthcare professionals related to FGM in Castilla la Mancha.

Epidemiological surveillance study of female genital mutilation in the UK

ObjectivesDescribe cases of female genital mutilation (FGM) presenting to consultant paediatricians and sexual assault referral centres (SARCs), including demographics, medical symptoms, examination findings and outcome.DesignThe well-established epidemiological surveillance study performed...

Cost and impact of scaling up female genital mutilation prevention and care programs: Estimated resource requirements and impact on incidence and prevalence.

PurposeSDG 5.3 targets include eliminating harmful practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Limited information is available about levels of investment needed and realistic estimates of potential incidence change. In this work, we estimate the cost and impact of FGM programs in 31 high burden countries.MethodsThis analysis combines program data, secondary data analysis, and population-level costing methods to estimate cost and impact of high and moderate scaleup of FGM programs between 2020 and 2030. Cost per person or community reached was multiplied by populations to estimate costs, and regression analysis was used to estimate new incidence rates, which were applied to populations to estimate cases averted.ResultsReaching the high-coverage targets for 31 countries by 2030 would require an investment of US$ 3.3 billion. This scenario would avert more than 24 million cases of FGM, at an average cost of US$ 134 per case averted. A moderate-coverage scenario would cost US$ 1.6 billion and avert more than 12 million cases of FGM. However, average cost per case averted hides substantial variation based on country dynamics. The most cost-effective investment would be in countries with limited historic change in FGM incidence, with the average cost per case averted between US$ 3 and US$ 90. The next most effective would be those with high approval for FGM, but a preexisting trend downward, where cost per case averted is estimated at around US$ 240.InterpretationThis analysis shows that although data on FGM is limited, we can draw useful findings from population-level surveys and program data to guide resource mobilization and program planning.

A review of the law surrounding female genital mutilation protection orders

Performing female genital mutilation (FGM) is prohibited within the UK by the FGM Act of 2003. A mandatory reporting duty for FGM requires regulated health and social care professionals and teachers in England and Wales to report known cases of FGM in under 18-year-olds to the police. An application to the court for an FGM protection order (FGMPO) can be made to keep individual women and girls safe from FGM. This paper reveals the significant disconnect between the number of FGMPO applications and known recorded cases of FGM. The introduction of FGMPOs requires critical exploration as there is insufficient evidence to show that FGMPOs are effective in protecting women and girls from FGM. It is therefore unclear what impact, if any, FGMPOs are having upon the protection of women and girls at risk of FGM. The barriers to the implementation of FGMPOs and possible solutions are discussed.

Adolescent girls, a forgotten population in resource-limited settings in the COVID-19 pandemic: implications for sexual and reproductive health outcomes.

Adolescent sexual and reproductive health is an essential aspect that may be forgotten in the COVID-19 pandemic. Valuable insights gained from previous humanitarian crises indicate undesirable short and long-term adolescent maternal consequences in low resource settings. Young girls are at a higher risk of dropping out of school and being forced into early child marriages and high-risk jobs that predispose them to sexual exploitation and sexual and gender-based violence. Economic recessions, supply chain disruptions and reallocation of resources may limit access and utilisation of services and commodities. The COVID-19 pandemic thus indirectly exposes adolescent girls to multiplied risks of unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections including HIV and Human Papilloma Virus. Sexual and gender-based violence, including female genital mutilation cases may increase as intervention programmes to avert these are disrupted, and the resultant psychosocial and socioeconomic consequences may be devastating. Thus, a pro-active approach is required to come up with frameworks to ensure the minimum initial service package for reproductive health. A multi-sectoral collaborative intersection of relevant stakeholders in adolescent sexual and reproductive health is therefore urgently desired.

Mutilación genital femenina: conocimientos del profesional sanitario y estudiantado de Enfermería

Objective: to identify the awareness, experiences and training needs perceived about female genital mutilation (FGM) among Nursing students and healthcare professionals, as well as any potential differences between both population groups. Method: a cross-sectional descriptive study among healthcare professionals and Nursing students in any healthcare setting in the Spanish territory. A self-administered and semi-structured questionnaire was used, collecting sociodemographical variables, as well as awareness, experiences and training needs around FGM. This questionnaire was applied between March and June, 2018; descriptive statistics and Square chi were used. Confidence intervals were estimated at 95% (CI95%). Results: the study included 434 participants; 1.6% of the sample had witnessed some case of FGM during their professional activity, and there were statistically significant differences between groups (p< 0.01): other healthcare professionals were the group with the highest values (14.8%, n= 4).In all groups, >80% of participants stated that they had knowledge about FGM, though this proportion was reduced when asked about the different practices included, and it was sometimes defined only as the clitoris excision procedure. Over 80% of participants said that they were not aware of any existing protocols, and had limited knowledge about the matter (> 90%). There were no differences between the different groups. Conclusions: nursing students and different healthcare professionals have minimal training and experiences around FGM, and they demand more information / training on this matter.

18: Reconstruction after female genital mutilation

The primary objective of this video is to demonstrate the surgical management of a case of female genital mutilation (FGM). FGM includes all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. A review of clitoral anatomy and the classification scheme of FGM will also be addressed. A 44 year-old female with a history of FGM as an infant presented with dyspareunia. She experienced FGM at age 18 months as part of a traditional rite of passage for females in North Sudan. She described undergoing excision of a portion of the external vulva and then having the remainder of the two labia sewn together (infibulation). Her dyspareunia was characterized by pain with penetration as well as pain during and after intercourse. She denied any urinary or menstrual complaints. On exam, she was found to have fusion of her labia minora leaving her with an introitus of approximately two centimeters. The clitoris was neither visualized nor palpable. The urethra was not visualized. Surgical management included reconstruction of the external genitalia with placement of an autologous vaginal epithelial graft. Reconstruction was accomplished via separation of the fused labia in order to create a larger introitus. At this point of the procedure, it was clear there was no intact clitoris. A vaginal graft was placed at the level of the medial mucosal defect resulting from defibulation. The postoperative course at one month was notable for slight lateral deviation of the patient’s urine stream but no other issues. Evaluation and management of patients who have undergone FGM requires a thorough understanding of clitoral anatomy. Definitive diagnosis can only be made during surgical exploration. Providers must discuss possible outcomes of surgery with regard to functional and cosmetic outcomes with patients.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of primary healthcare professionals to female genital mutilation in Valencia, Spain: are we ready for this challenge?

BackgroundThe practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a deeply-rooted tradition in 30 Sub-Saharan and Middle-East countries which affects approximately 200 million women and girls worldwide. The practice leads to devastating consequences on the health and quality of life of women and girls in both the short and long term. Globalizing processes and migration flows have recorded cases of this practice worldwide representing for healthcare professionals an emerging challenge on how to approach their healthcare in a transcultural, ethical and respectful way. No survey to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices on FGM among primary healthcare professionals has been conducted in the Valencian region of Spain to date.MethodsThe main purpose of this study is to assess the perceptions, knowledge, practices and attitudes of the primary healthcare professionals in relation to FGM in the Clínic-Malvarrosa healthcare area of Valencia. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted based on a self-administered questionnaire to general practitioners, paediatricians, nurses, midwives, gynaecologists, social workers and others.ResultsA total of 321 professionals answered the questionnaire. Less than 5% of professionals answered that they had ever found a case of FGM during their professional practice and 21.8% answered that they had ever worked with population at risk of FGM. Almost 15% of professionals answered that they had received training on FGM but of those who had received training, only 22.7% correctly identified the typology of FGM and less than 5% correctly identified the geographical area. Only 6.9% of the respondents admitted to know some protocol of action, being midwives, paediatricians and social workers the most aware professionals of such protocols.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that FGM is a problem present in the population attending primary healthcare services in Valencia. However, the professionals showed a profound lack of knowledge around concept, typology, countries of prevalence of FGM and existent protocols of action. It is healthcare professional duty to recognize this situation and to follow the right protocols of action, refer these women and their families to the most appropriate services and professionals that fit their needs, ensuring a multidisciplinary, positive and transcultural care for these families.

Mandatory reporting of female genital mutilation in children in the UK

Background While female genital mutilation (FGM) has been illegal in the UK since 1985, research estimated that in 2015 there were over 100 000 women and girls resident in the UK subjected to FGM. Aims To determine the effect of changes in the legislation of 2015, which made reporting of FGM in girls under 18 mandatory. Methods Freedom of Information requests were sent to all 45 UK police authorities, asking the number of cases of FGM reported between specific dates, victims' ages, the occupation of the person reporting and the age and gender breakdown of the police force. Similar requests were sent to health and social care organisations. Findings Of 45 police authorities in the UK, six initially responded, with three stating that no cases of FGM had been reported. The remaining police authorities either provided partial information or declined the request. However, other sources indicated over 6000 reported cases between October 2014 and October 2015. Conclusions The ability of frontline professionals and policymakers to obtain, interpret and use data is affected by the secrecy that surrounds FGM, the complexities of investigation and the absence of a significant numbers of prosecutions.

Perception and barriers: reporting female genital mutilation

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the perceptions of and barriers to reporting female genital mutilation (FGM) by victims and survivors of FGM to the police in England and Wales.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on 14 interviews conducted with adult survivors and victims of FGM. A combination of 1:1 and group interviews were used, based on the preference of the respondents. Respondents were recruited in collaboration with specialist non-governmental organisations and major stakeholders in the area of honour-based violence and black and minority ethnic communities.FindingsA key finding in this research was that all victims/survivors the authors interviewed stated that they did not support the practice of FGM, and that they would not follow it for younger women in their own family. Second, the authors found that none of the respondents had reported their experience to the police. Third, they identified key barriers to reporting, which included: their belief that reporting their own experience would not serve any purpose because they had experienced FGM as children, and in another country; and that they did not feel able to report new incidents of FGM in the community because of a lack of trust in the police due to previous negative experiences. Finally, they believed that FGM could be prevented only by work within the community, and not through engagement with the criminal justice system.Originality/valueThis is, to our knowledge, one of the first papers that is based on victims and survivors’ perceptions that explores barriers to reporting cases of FGM to the police, and offers levers for change.