Community-Based Survey on Female Genital Excision in Faranah District,Guinea (2001)
This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics:
Author(s): Daman Keita and David Blankhart
FGM/C Type(s): All
Health area of focus: None.
Objective: To study the beliefs and practices of people in Faranah District,Guinea regarding female genital excision (FGE)
Study Population: Women of reproductive age,older women,married men,community and religious leaders,traditional practitioners and health workers
Findings: The study found that female genital excision (FGE) was being carried out on girls aged 6-14,mostly using a traditional knife and involving total excision of the clitoris and partial removal of the external genitals,in conjunction with instruction on how young women should behave when they are married. Despite the practice being illegal under national laws,few people were aware of this. There was a tendency towards taking girls for medical care to avoid complications,and some people suggested that FGE should be done by medical professionals,but this was a minority. More than 60 per cent of respondents thought FGE was harmful to health and supported its abolition. Many more men than women took this view; women felt under pressure to maintain the tradition. To stop FGE,the study notes that local organizations needed to support a process of change within the community,including awareness-raising about the law and the negative health effects of FGE,promoting alternative ceremonies,educating practitioners and supporting education and improvements in the status of women
Geographical coverage
Region(s):Western Africa
Country(ies):Guinea