Why the Somalia is practicing FGM; a case study from Puntland state of Somalia (2009)
This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics:
Author(s): Ahmed Abdirahman Herzi
FGM/C Type(s): All
Health area of focus: None.
Objective: The study is aimed at obtaining relevant and adequate data onknowledge,attitude and practices including perceptions and beliefs associated with GenderBased Violence (GBV) including FGM and Child rights.
Study Population: Girls and women in puntland
Findings: the study found out that over 92% of girls and women in Puntland,a semi-autonomous region in the north-eastern part of Somalia,had been circumcised,with the majority (72%)undergoing the most severe form of infibulation.[2] The same study notes a number of reasons for the practice,practiced over centuries,including religious,cultural and health factors. A quarter of respondents (25.8%) said that FGM/C was performed for religious reasons (some noted this as a requirement),while 17.3% believed that the practice preserved a girls’ virginity; 13.1% believed it was a positive traditional practice to be maintained and 12% said that it kept a girl clean. Respondents also believed that FGM/C increased a girl’s’ chances in marrying,and that girls who have been circumcised are considered more religious or holy. At the same time,the majority of respondents of the same study recognized that there were harmful effects of FGM/C,including painful menstruation and intercourse,urinary infections and other health complications. Respondents also noted that FGM/C could lead to early marriage.[3] In rural areas,FGM/C is generally performed at certain times during the year: 51.1% are carried out in the dry
Geographical coverage
Region(s):Eastern Africa
Country(ies):Somalia