Factors promoting and hindering the practice of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) (2014)
This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics:
Author(s): Berg RC,Denison E,Fretheim A
FGM/C Type(s): All
Health area of focus: .
Objective: To determine factors promoting and hindering the practice of FGM/C,as expressed by stakeholders residing in Western countries
Study Population: Immigrants from communities where FGM/C is practiced,health workers,and government officials. With respect to members of communities practicing FGM/C (n= 1,709),about 80% of the participants were women and about 20% men.
Findings: The results showed that there were six key factors perceived as promoting and four key factors perceived as hindering the practice of FGM/C. We found that the continuance of FGM/C was largely attributable to culturaltradition,the interconnected factors sexual morals and marriageability,religion,health benefits,and male sexual enjoyment. The belief that FGM/C was an important cultural tradition was the most influential factor. The practice was seen as deeply rooted in the communities’ social systems and the compulsory nature of FGM/C was reflected in community mechanisms enforcing it. Further,FGM/C was perceived as a cornerstone of moral standards,the maintenance of which helped to ensure the marriageability of women. As a fourth important factor influencing the continuation of FGM/C,the practice was commonly expressed as a duty according to the religion of Islam. Health benefits and male sexual enjoyment (the latter was a perception among women only and refuted by men) were less influential factors reported in the included studies.
Geographical coverage
Region(s):Not specified
Country(ies):Not specified