Hidden History,Embedded Reality: A Cultural Study of Sexual Violence on Girls in contemporary Malawi (2008)
This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics:
Author(s): Eirin Førsund
FGM/C Type(s): All
Health area of focus: None.
Objective: To determine the relationship between culture and sexual violence and to explore possible explanations to sexual violence within the given cultural context.
Study Population: Community members,key informants
Findings: Based on information collected and fieldwork conducted there was much evidence that suggested there were traditionally embedded sexual messages in Malawian society that tolerated boys and men to pursue girls for sex. This evidence was exposed in a number of ways. Particularly,sexual training during initiation,sexually provocative traditional singing and dancing,and unequal gender relations leads to myths of children as willing sex partners,which further legitimise child-adult sex. Because girls were largely portrayed in a sexual way and as partners for marriage they were vulnerable to exploitation,however,women’s own agency should not forgotten. FGM prepares victims for womanhood.
Geographical coverage
Region(s):Eastern Africa
Country(ies):Malawi