How the methods used to eliminate foot binding in China can be employed to eradicate female genital mutilation (2012)

This study is a Correlation research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics:

Author(s): Ann-Marie Wilson
FGM/C Type(s): All
Health area of focus: Eliminate foot binding.

Objective: Elimination of foot binding and applied to the eradication of FGM. A model is created to identify the features which are most likely to lead to success
Study Population: The Navrongo FGM experiment in Ghana, IntraHealth’s five-dimensional approach in Ethiopia,Tostan’s community empowerment program in somalia.
Findings: Case study 1 uses two educational sub-components of the anti-foot binding model,namely the ‘advantages of not binding’ (B1) (paralleled with drama and songs) and the ‘disadvantages of binding’ (B2) (paralleled with anti-FGM videos). Only one aspect of anti-FGM good practice is present,namely ‘supporting the environment of change’ (f) through training. This case study scores 25% (3/12). Case study 2 uses one sub-component of the anti-foot binding model,namely ‘rest of the world does not’ (C1) (paralleled with government officials being sensitised). It also uses two aspects of the anti-FGM good practice,namely ‘public affirmation of abandonment’ (d) and ‘supporting the environment of change’ (f) through NGO involvement. This case study scores 25% (3/12). Case study 3 uses all six sub-components of the anti-foot binding model: ‘a public pledge’ (A1),‘creating an intermarrying village critical mass to pledge marriages’ (A2),against FGM/STIs etc. (B1),‘education via 200 sessions on health’ (B2),‘by consciousness raising’ (C1),and ‘reflecting issues but in sensitive language to avoid shame’ (C2) (adapted for a Muslim not Asian culture). This case also achieves all anti-FGM good practice aspects,namely ‘care over language’ (a),‘problem-solving training’ (b),‘community ownership’ (c),‘affirming organisation does well in reducing FGM it can still benefit from focusing on the ‘benefits to health’ rather than the ‘FGM is wrong’ approach (Cassman 2007) whilst continually adding new learning initiatives such as training adolescents and those slower to abandon FGM.

Geographical coverage
Region(s):Western Africa,Eastern Africa
Country(ies):Somalia,Ghana,Ethiopia

Source