Social effect and female genital mutilation (FGM) (2008)
This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics:
Author(s): Salmata OUEDRAOGO
FGM/C Type(s): All
Health area of focus: None.
Objective: To identify the impact of social e§ects on the decision to practice excision on girls,based on the methodology used by Bertrand,Luttmer
and Mallainathan (2000)
Study Population: previous work done on FGM in Sub-Saharan Africa (by WHO,UNDP,UNICEF),data from the
Burkina Fasoís Demographic and Health Surveys 2003
Findings: Social pressure is strongly correlated to the decision to practice excision in Burkina Faso household. The obtained results make it possible to underline the significant in- fluence of the mother in the FGM decision. A mother’s educational level has an effect on the dissemination of FGM to her daughters. In addition,her understanding of the stakes involved in excision,as well as her own experience have a direct bearing on her decision to mutilate her daughters. This result confirms those of past statistical studies. For example,UNICEF (2005) confirms,in a study carried out in 15 countries with high prevalence rates of FGM,that support for the practice is higher among women without any formal education. Moreover TOSTAN,the only non-governmental organization based in Senegal,concluded that basic education is a determinant in the process of eliminating FGM. It therefore implemented an educational program in affected communities to increase their educational level. One of the TOSTAN program’s greatest achievements has been the voluntary and definitive discontinuance of excision by hundreds of village communities since 1998. In 2003,the WHO called for the expansion of the TOSTAN program model (Best Practice Model) in the 27 other African countries where excision is practiced
Geographical coverage
Region(s):Western Africa
Country(ies):Burkina Faso