Practice Of Female Genital Mutilation Research Articles

Female Genital Mutilation dan Pertanggungjawabannya Menurut Hak Asasi Manusia

Introduction: This study examines the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), involving cutting, scraping, or piercing female genital organs with the aim of partial or total removal, often based on cultural reasons. It is estimated that over 200 million women worldwide have undergone FGM.Purposes of the Research: The research evaluates whether FGM can be considered a violation of international Human Rights (HR) and whether countries and perpetrators of FGM can be held accountable under international law.Methods of the Research: Using a normative legal research method, focusing on international HR instruments such as the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).Results of the Research: The study finds that FGM is inconsistent with international HR values and can be categorized as a violation of HR against women. The study emphasizes the state's responsibility to protect women from this harmful practice and suggests the imposition of sanctions on perpetrators. However, it also highlights the complexity of addressing FGM due to variations in types and practices across different countries. Therefore, criminalization is not always seen as an ideal solution, stressing the need for a holistic approach that integrates health, cultural, and legal aspects. Efforts to prevent FGM are expected to align with international HR values without discriminating against specific cultures while preserving existing community traditions

African Culture & the Girl-Child Education

This research article underscores the cultural factors that influence girl-child education among the Ilchamus community. Various literatures were reviewed and gaps were successfully identified. It embraces descriptive research design. It utilises purposive and snowballing techniques since the initial research that culminated into an article was basically a mixed research. The sample size of the study was 350 respondents. It establishes that; the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM), often linked with traditional rites of passage, is typically followed by early marriage, which disrupts girls’ education. Additionally, early marriage typically curtails educational opportunities for girls, as they are often expected to take on domestic responsibilities and childbearing, leaving little room for schooling. In this regard, it concludes that; cultural practices like FGM and early marriages are deeply rooted barriers to girl-child education in the Ilchamus community, while the role of parents’ education and cultural transitions reflect more nuanced influences on educational outcomes.

Harmful Traditional Practices Affecting the Under-Five Years Children and Associated Factors in Sokoto, State, Nigeria

Introduction Harmful traditional practices violate and negatively affect the physical, psychological well-being and right of women and children. Nigeria has the third highest absolute number of women and girls who have undergone Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) worldwide. Aims To assess the harmful traditional practices on the under-five years children and associated factors in Sokoto, State, Nigeria. Methods A community based cross sectional study that was conducted in Sokoto State, Nigeria on 320 mothers of under-five year children from 1st January-31st March 2021. The study participants were selected using multi stage sampling method, after proportionate allocation of sample size, systematic random sampling method was used to get the study participants. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on harmful traditional practices from the mothers of the eligible children. Data was analysed using SPSS version 22. Results The mean age of the children was 22.5 ± 17.7 months, there were 199(62.2%) males and 121(37.8%) females, and male to female ratio was 1.6:1. Eighty (25.0%) of the under five-year children were circumcised by traditional healers, 189(59.1%) had traditional uvulectomy, 86(28.9%) had female genital mutilation, while 11(3.4%) had scarification marks. The respondent’s educational status (p = 0.008) and (p = 0.001) were factors associated with the practice of FGM and circumcision respectively. Conclusion Harmful traditional practices are still prevalent in Sokoto. Government at all levels should embark on awareness creation programs on the dangers of these harmful traditional practices through mass media, schools, traditional leaders and religious places. Child protection laws should be implemented to curtail these harmful practices.

Female Genital Mutilation practiced by Dawoodi Bohras of Pakistan

This paper examines the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) among the Dawoodi Bohra community in Pakistan. FGM, a non-therapeutic alteration of the female genitalia, is examined through the lenses of religion, culture and health. The Dawoodi Bohra, predominantly based in Karachi, practice FGM as a religious and cultural rite, linking it to notions of purity and social acceptance. Despite global efforts to outlaw and eradicate FGM, it persists, underpinned by deeply held beliefs and the insular nature of the community. The physical and psychological effects of FGM are profound, leading to immediate and long-term complications such as severe pain, infection and psychological trauma. This paper discusses the impact of these practices on women’s health and rights, while critiquing the lack of an effective legal framework in Pakistan to combat FGM. In addressing this issue, the paper contributes to the broader discourse on gender-based violence and the rights of women and children in patriarchal societies.

Female genital mutilation: trends, economic burden of delay and basis for public health interventions.

The practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) is a health and social problem. Millions of girls and women have undergone FGM or will soon, and more information is needed to effectively reduce the practice. The aim of this research is to provide an overview of the FGM trendlines, the inequality of its prevalence, and the economic burden. The findings shed light on 30-year trends and the impact of the pandemic on planned efforts to reduce FGM which helps with public health interventions. Temporal trend analysis, and graphical analysis were used to assess the change and inequality over the last 30 years. We included 27 countries in which FGM is prevalent. We calculated the extra economic burden of delayed interventions to reduce FGM like COVID-19. For the 27 countries analyzed for temporal trendlines, 13 countries showed no change over time while 14 had decreasing trends. Among the 14, nine countries, Uganda, Togo, Ghana, Benin, Kenya, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Chad, and Ethiopia had high year-decrease (CAGR - 1.01 and - 10.26) while five, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Gambia, Djibouti, and Mali had low year-decrease (CAGR>-1 and < 0). Among these five are the highest FGM prevalence similar distribution regardless the wealth quintiles or residence. There is an economic burden of delay or non-decline of FGM that could be averted. Findings indicate that some countries show a declining trend over time while others not. It can be observed that there is heterogeneity and homogeneity in the FGM prevalence within and between countries which may indicate inequality that deserves further investigation. There is considerable economic burden due to delays in the implementation of interventions to reduce or eliminate FGM. These insights can help in the preparation of public health interventions.

The Role of Culture in The Continued Practice of Female Genital Mutilation: A Study of Attah Community, Imo State

Even though the practice of female genital mutilation is not meant to hurt women, it nonetheless endangers their health. This necessitates research into the amount of understanding and cultural complications that prevent its eradication in Africa and Nigeria, particularly in rural communities where the practice is very prevalent. This study, therefore, examined cultural factors that promote the continued practice of female genital mutilation in the Attah community, Imo State. Social convention theory was used as the study's theoretical framework. The survey research method was adopted for this study. Using the multi-stage sampling method, 674 copies of the questionnaire were distributed to the study respondents for the quantitative data. However, only 539 copies of the questionnaire were retrieved. This represents the sample size of this study. For the qualitative data in the study, twelve (12) in-depth interviews were conducted among village and religious leaders. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) was used to process this study's quantitative data, while descriptive and inferential statistics were analyzed. For the study's qualitative data, analysis was done using the content analysis method based on the study objectives. It was found that males are more likely to make decisions that influence the continued practice of Female Genital Mutilation in the Attah community than females. The study also found that cultural expectations for womanhood rite of passage, marriage prospects, and the belief that women with FGM are more likely to be less promiscuous are major factors that influence the continued practice of FGM in the Attah community. Consequently, to end female genital mutilation in the Attah community, there is a need to address those religious and cultural beliefs that negatively affect the control of the practice.

INTERROGATING THE PERSISTENCE OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION IN ILORIN, KWARA STATE, 2000-2020

Female genital mutilation is also known as female genital cutting and female circumcision which comprises all procedures involving a partial or total removal of the external female genitalia either for cultural or other non-therapeutic reasons. FGM is a sensitive topic and issue because it cuts across several cultures and needs to be addressed with great care, without affecting people’s feelings as it touches on other people’s cultures. The practice is, therefore, still deeply entrenched in the Nigerian society. Despite efforts to raise awareness of FGM’s medical complications through governmental and non-governmental organizations, the practice persists in some communities, and this makes one ponder on the factors that seem to preserve the practice. This paper using both primary and secondary sources of historical research methodology assesses the socio-cultural and religious factors that contributed to the continuous practice of female genital mutilation in Ilorin despite the international condemnation. In Nigeria, the South-south (77 percent) has the highest incidence of Female Genital Mutilation among adult women, followed by the South-east (68 percent), and the South-west (65 percent). However, it was only lightly practised in the North, surprisingly leaning toward a more extreme form. At the national level, 41 percent of adult women have had Female Genital Mutilation typically carried out by a traditional circumciser using a blade. There was a significant relationship between the persistence of the practice of FGM and social structures, cultural, and religious beliefs. The study shows that the continuous practice of female genital mutilation in Ilorin is not due to ignorance, but a longstanding tradition and religious belief.

Beyond the surface: unpacking the methodological and ethical challenges of researching into a sensitive female genital mutilation practice

Beyond the surface: unpacking the methodological and ethical challenges of researching into a sensitive female genital mutilation practice

The Role of UK Communities and Leadership in Tackling Female Genital Mutilation

Female Genital Mutilation is the act of removing part or all of a woman's external genitalia, including the act of injuring a woman's genitals without medical reasons. It is estimated that more than 200 million women have undergone Female Genital Mutilation procedures. This is an international problem and concern. The practice of Female Genital Mutilation in England emerged due to the arrival of immigrants who brought this culture. The efforts made by the British government in dealing with Female Genital Mutilation are by enforcing the law in the form of creating anti-Female Genital Mutilation laws and educating the public through campaigns and community empowerment. This research was created to try to see the role of British communities and leadership in dealing with Female Genital Mutilation using comparative feminist political theory and the concept of women's rights. This research will use a qualitative descriptive research methodology. The results of this research are in the form of political policy analysis using four approaches, namely gender; policy; and welfare states, state feminism, policy implementation and making, women's movements. As well as the emergence of obstacles in handling efforts which are influenced by various factors.

Female genital mutilation and safer sex negotiation among women in sexual unions in sub-Saharan Africa: Analysis of demographic and health survey data.

The practice of female genital mutilation is associated with harmful social norms promoting violence against girls and women. Various studies have been conducted to examine the prevalence of female genital mutilation and its associated factors. However, there has been limited studies conducted to assess the association between female genital mutilation and markers of women's autonomy, such as their ability to negotiate for safer sex. In this study, we examined the association between female genital mutilation and women's ability to negotiate for safer sex in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We pooled data from the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted from 2010 to 2020. Data from a sample of 50,337 currently married and cohabiting women from eleven sub-Saharan African countries were included in the study. A multilevel binary logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between female genital mutilation and women's ability to refuse sex and ask their partners to use condom. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to present the findings of the logistic regression analysis. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Female genital mutilation was performed on 56.1% of women included in our study. The highest and lowest prevalence of female genital mutilation were found among women from Guinea (96.3%) and Togo (6.9%), respectively. We found that women who had undergone female genital mutilation were less likely to refuse sex from their partners (aOR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.86, 0.96) and ask their partners to use condoms (aOR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.78, 0.86) compared to those who had not undergone female genital mutilation. Female genital mutilation hinders women's ability to negotiate for safer sex. It is necessary to implement health education and promotion interventions (e.g., decision making skills) that assist women who have experienced female genital mutilation to negotiate for safer sex. These interventions are crucial to enhance sexual health outcomes for these women. Further, strict enforcement of policies and laws aimed at eradicating the practice of female genital mutilation are encouraged to help contribute to the improvement of women's reproductive health.

Factors Associated with Abandoning the Practice of Female Genital Mutilation in Guinea: A Secondary Analysis of 2018 Demographic and Health Survey Data

Factors Associated with Abandoning the Practice of Female Genital Mutilation in Guinea: A Secondary Analysis of 2018 Demographic and Health Survey Data

Foreign Aid and Institutional Quality towards Reducing Gender-Based Violence

Studies have shown a possible link between women achieving some degree of economic independence through empowerment and a decline in gender-based violence (GBV). However, inadequate funding has been a major challenge in developing economies, while foreign aid has been seen as an alternative funding source. Foreign aid for promoting women’s rights and gender equality is improving in African countries. Yet, according to official statistics, the frequency of GBV in Africa is among the highest in the world. Given this, this paper examines the impact of women’s aid and institutional quality on factors that can reduce GBV using both cross-sectional autoregressive lags to investigate short- and long-run implications and the Panel Vector Correction Model to examine the shock effect of aid on other variables. Also, the mediating role of institutional quality and women’s aid are considered. The metrics used for the factors that reduce GBV are female children out of school, the secondary school gender parity index, the genital mutilation prevalence rate, and the metrics for institutional quality are the rules of law and government effectiveness. The implications from the findings show that enhancing the legal structure is very important in Africa, given the low coefficient values to reduce discrimination against the right to education; more should be done to increase the enrolment of female students through the maximisation of women’s aid in order to achieve the short- and long-term objectives of reducing gender violence. The findings also show that the rule of law significantly aids in the reduction of female genital mutilation in the short and long run; government effectiveness is insignificant. Also, they show that women’s aid also reduces female genital mutilation, albeit at a low rate. The results of this study call for strong enhanced government support and funding to end the practice of female genital mutilation and discrimination against female education in the short and long run.

Local Women Groups Preventative Initiatives in Addressing Female Genital Mutilation Practices: A Case for Kajiado South-Sub County, Kenya

Local Women Groups Preventative Initiatives in Addressing Female Genital Mutilation Practices: A Case for Kajiado South-Sub County, Kenya

What's new on female genital mutilation/cutting? Recent findings about urogynecologic complications, psychological issues, and obstetric outcomes.

Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C or FGM) are injuries to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. Every year, over 4 million girls are at risk of FGM. Complications of this practice are very common and some of them are still under investigation. The purpose of this short narrative review is to highlight and summarize the main ones. Psychologic and psychiatric sequelae, chronic vulvar pain, urogenital symptoms, pelvic organs prolapse, sexual disfunction, cervical dysplasia and infections resulted as chronic sequalae of FGM. Severe pain, excessive bleeding, and tissues swelling are acute consequences of FGM. Rates of caesarean section, time of second stage of delivery, post-partum blood loss (but not major hemorrhage), peri-clitoral and perineal injuries and episiotomy rates are higher in pregnant women with FGM, when compared with those non victims of mutilation. The female genital mutilation practice is often cause of severe urogynecologic, psychologic and obstetrics sequelae. Although several studies have been carried out on FMG complications and treatments, long term sequelae are still very common and deserve major attention and further research.

Indonesian Legal Compliance with International Human Rights Law on Female Genital Mutilation

The absence of a law that strictly prohibits female genital mutilation in Indonesia has increased the number of women and girls victimized by this practice. While some communities may justify female genital mutilation as a religious practice, there is no religious justification for this, and neither is Islam, the dominant religion in Indonesia. The United Nations has defined female genital mutilation as a harmful practice that can cause physical and psychological harm to women and girls. Moreover, it is also closely linked with violations of the right to freedom of religion or belief. This qualitative research uses a normative approach by analyzing Indonesian laws related to female genital mutilation and its compatibility with international human rights legal obligations. This research describes Indonesia's role in preventing, addressing, and protecting women and girls who have undergone female genital mutilation. The results show that Indonesian laws on female genital mutilation do not comply with international human rights laws, which prohibit all types of female genital mutilation practices. This research suggests that the Indonesian government should take all measures to eliminate the practice of female genital mutilation through legal action, creating binding and gender-perspective regulations and policies. Eliminating female genital mutilation will contribute to achieving gender equality and women's empowerment in Indonesia, as the country's commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals.

Re-evaluating the Authenticity of Hadith on the Shariah Ruling of Female Circumcision in Malaysia

Abstract The practice of female circumcision in Malaysia has been heavily criticized for being like the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Africa. This criticism started from the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 2018, organized by the United Nations Human Rights (UNHR), which called on Malaysia to stop the practice of female circumcision. Among the accusations made were that the practice of female circumcision was merely a tradition and not a religious requirement. In addition, they denied the authority of the hadith used as evidence for the legitimization of female circumcision, claiming that they were weak and lacked authority. Therefore, this study aims to reassess and re-evaluate the validity and authority of the hadith used as evidence for the legitimization of female circumcision. This study uses a qualitative method, employing historical-textual analysis, to analyze the opinions of hadith scholars regarding the sanad (Transmission) and matan (Text) of the hadith. The results of this study found that the hadith regarding female circumcision has various pathways that can support each other and can be upgraded to hasan li ghayrihi. In conclusion, this study found that the hadith used as evidence for the legitimization of female circumcision is authoritative, thereby affirming that this practice is part of Islamic law.

Factors Linked to Female Genital Mutilation Practice Among Women Living In Alungu Village of Mandera County, Kenya.

Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) is a harmful traditional practice with severe health complications, deeply rooted in many sub-Saharan African countries. In Kenya, the prevalence of FGM/C is 15% in women aged between 15 and 49 years. The Kenyan Somalis practice FGM/C with a prevalence above 90%. FGM/C practice continues to persist in Alungu village, Mandera County in the North Eastern of Kenya despite efforts by anti-FGM programs. However, the underlying factors behind FGM practice in the area have not been explored. Objective: To assess factors contributing to female genital mutilation practice among women living in Alungu village of Mandera County, Kenya. This study utilised a descriptive cross sectional design. The study population was women of reproductive age (from 18 to 49 years) who resided in Alungu village in Mandera County, Kenya. A study sample of 98 women was selected using simple random sampling technique. Data was collected using a researcher-administered questionnaire and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Most of the respondents were aged 35 - 44 (45.8%), married (100%), had no formal education (74.7%) and had no formal employment (89.2%). All participants agreed that traditional beliefs, customs and rite of passage to womanhood contributed to FGM, 90.4% of the participants acknowledged that FGM is a symbol of ethnic identity and inclusivity. Factors affecting prevention of and response to FGM were low involvement of women in anti-FGM programs (91.6%); support for FGM by local leaders and elders (100%); failure by authorities to take action against those perpetuating FGM (100%); indifference to FGM practice continuation among local religious and political leaders (96.4%) and poor enforcement of existing laws against FGM (100%). A wide range of socio-cultural factors did contribute to FGM practice among women living in Alungu village, Mandera County.

A Brief History of Anesthesia in Somaliland.

A Brief History of Anesthesia in Somaliland.

Female Genital Mutilation in Mary Karooro Okurut’s The Switch

This article explores the representations of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Mary Karooro Okurut’s The Switch (2016). In this article, I investigate why the fictional communities depicted in the selected novel engage in FGM practice. The key method used to obtain data is a close reading of the primary text. The secondary texts of both print and electronic forms from relevant works were also consulted. The data was collected with the guidance of the research objective. The study involved the examination of documents guided by a textual checklist as the major research instrument. This study adopted the cultural feminist literary theory. In the study, I discover that different communities engage in FGM as a way to regulate their women’s sexual behaviour and as a norm to transform them from childhood to adulthood. The author has tactfully used techniques like diction, setting and description among others to clearly bring out her message

Female Genital Mutilation: A Religio-cultural Sensitive Issue Determining Maternal Healthcare Choices among Somali Women in Dadaab Refugee Camp, Kenya

This paper focuses on Kenya’s development challenges in maternal health care, especially the impact of traditional birth attendants (TBAs) and female genital mutilation (FGM) among the refugees. The study identifies four objectives: to discuss the persistence of FGM among Somali women in Ifo Refugee Camp; to establish the hospital process of providing maternal health care to mothers who have gone through FGM; to find out the level of preparedness of the midwives to handle mothers with religio-cultural concerns such as prayer and non-involvement of male nurses; and how the practice of FGM contributes to the preference of TBA by mothers. This study assumes that midwives’ training may not have effectively addressed FGM, a social-cultural sensitive issue affecting childbirth and care. The specific support of midwives in refugee camps contexts also remains limited. A qualitative research approach was used in the study, involving Snowballing sampling method, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions (FGDs). These methods brought out pertinent issues that make TBAs the preferential option for some mothers despite the presence of level 4 category hospitals in the refugee camps. In case of birth complications, the mother’s choice for TBA delays the family’s decision to take her to the hospital and for healthcare workers to save mother and child. The shortage of midwives and the presence of male midwives in hospitals make some Somali mothers seek assistance from TBAs. There is a need to contextualize midwifery training by enhancing the curriculum with evidence-based/mother-centered skills.