Have we made progress in Somalia after 30 years of interventions? attitudes toward female circumcision among people in the Hargeisa district (2013)
This study is a Descriptive research regarding I,II,III FGM/C with the following characteristics:
Author(s): Gele Abdi A,Bente P Bø,Johanne Sundby
FGM/C Type(s): I,II,III
Health area of focus: None.
Objective: To investigate whether the perception towards the practice of FGM among Somali men and women in Somalia has improved or not
Study Population: Women,Men
Findings: The findings show that 97% of the study’s participants were circumcised with no age differences. Of this,81% were subjected to Type 3,while 16% were subjected to either Type 1 or 2 and only 3% were left uncircumcised. Approximately 85% of the respondents had intention to circumcise their daughters,with 13% were planning the most radical form. Among men,96% preferred to marry circumcised women,whereas overall,90% of respondents supported the continuation of the practice. The vast majority of the study’s respondents had a good knowledge of the negative health effects of female circumcision. The study showed that the support towards the persistence of the practice was profoundly high in Somalia. People were aware of the health and human rights effect of female circumcision,and yet they supported the continuation of the practice. Therefore,over 30 years of campaigns with limited progress,there was a demand an alternative approach towards the eradication of female circumcision in Somalia
Geographical coverage
Region(s):Eastern Africa
Country(ies):Somalia