Female Genital Mutilation in Iraqi Kurdistan (2010)
This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics:
Author(s): Wadi (Association for Crisis Assistance and Development Co-operation)
FGM/C Type(s): All
Health area of focus: None.
Objective: To explore the prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)1 in an Iraqi region beyond the KRG (Kurdish Regional Government) Region: Kirkuk Province.
Study Population: Interviewees in the governorates of Arbi
Findings: The result showed that the overall FGM rate in Kirkuk Governorate is 38.2% of the female population age 14 and older. 17.5% of the mutilations performed by Arabs are Type II (and 0.8% Type III),while it is âonlyâ 6.2% among Kurds (and 0.9% Type III). Among Arabs and Kurds,the absolute numbers of mutilations Type II and III seem to be on an almost equal level,but the relative share of Type II and III mutilations among Arabs is much higher because they practice much less FGM (see 3.1.). A further analysis of the data reveals that daughters of Kurdish and Arab farmers underwent Type II more frequently than other groups (25%). Most girls are genitally mutilated around the age of five,but the age may vary between two and 12 years of age. Among Arabs it seems to be more common to do it later,around the age of ten. Approximately 80% of the women who had undergone FGM said that the cutting was done at home; 9% said it was done at the neighbourâs house. Medicalization of FGM in Kirkuk does not seem to have taken place since not a single woman reported that it was done in a hospital or health center. 77.3% of the FGM cases,the mother was said to have arranged for the procedure. Apart from the mother,only the grandmother (9.1%) and,still less frequently,aunts and other female family members were indicated
Geographical coverage
Region(s):Western Asia
Country(ies):Iraq