Negotiating female genital cutting as a difficult characteristic in Kurdish national identity (2019)
This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics:
Author(s): Lunde,I. B.,Sagbakken,M.,& Johansen,R. E. B.
FGM/C Type(s): All
Health area of focus: None.
Objective: Based on fieldwork among Kurds in Norway,this article explores how participants described the presence of female genital cutting (FGC) in Kurdistan as a difficult topic to address in public
Study Population: those self-identifying as Iranian or Iraqi Kurds (28 participants) and those working in organisations targeting FGC and/or Kurds both in Norway and Iraqi Kurdistan (12 participants). All Iranian- and IraqiKurdish participants had migrated from Kurdistan to Norway and had lived in Norway for 6-20 years. Their ages ranged from early 20s to late 50s. Their professions varied widely,and the group included artists,engineers,volunteers,housewives,journalists,unemployed,students,and translators
Findings: The participants associated FGC with a “traditional mindset” and perceptions of female sexuality that did not readily fit into new ideologies of women’s liberation. Based on literature on how to manage a “difficult” characteristic in national identity construction,we argue that the participants’ negotiation of “modern” and “traditional” aspects of national identity is one strategy for dealing with FGC. FGC has the potential for spoiled national identity. However,we find reason to suggest that a condemnation of the practice based on women’s liberation may strengthen the aspects of Kurdish national aspirations that are grounded in human rights and gender equality
Geographical coverage
Region(s):Northern Europe
Country(ies):Norway