Egyptian women’s perspectives on female genital mutilation (2016)
This study is a Exploratory research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics:
Author(s): Mohamed Alaa
FGM/C Type(s): All
Health area of focus: None.
Objective: To explore the perspectives and attitudes of Egyptian women towards the act of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
Study Population: Women
Findings: The study the participants who followed FGM practices all had guidelines to determine whether or not they had FGM/C performed on their daughters. These included cleanliness,the size of the girl’s clitoris,and FGM/C as protection. The concepts of tradition and class overlapped frequently in all the remarks made by participants,often times with ‘traditional’ intermittently changed with lower-class. While none of the participants knew the exact origin of FGM/C in Egypt,many had speculations; some called it an Arab norm that has simply been exaggerated,others linked it to African tradition. Those who still practice FGM/C,as well as some who don’t cited religion as the origination of FGM. Those who don’t follow the practice called FGM/C in a religious context outdated,an idea that does not apply to modern day society. Many also cited education,or lacktherof,as a means of FGM propagation. Women who perceived FGM/C as negative often talked about the psychological consequences of FGM,whereas those who were for it did not bring this topic up. Others,including those who practice FGM,commented on the role of FGM in a woman’s marriage,and specifically,the negative impacts FGM has on sexual pleasure. The final theme was the future role of FGM/C in Egyptian women’s lives. Some,who saw the country as overwhelmingly poor and uneducated,were not convinced of any future changes in the high FGM rates. Those who saw the country as becoming less traditional and more educated reported the opposite
Geographical coverage
Region(s):Northern Africa
Country(ies):Egypt