scholarly journals Challenges in combatting female genital mutilation: narratives of black Sub-Saharan African (BSSA) women in the English west Midlands region

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathew Nyashanu ◽  
Maureen Mguni
Keyword(s):  
Female Genital Mutilation ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Genital Mutilation ◽  
West Midlands ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Social Divide ◽  
Female Genital

Purpose It is believed that more than 120 million women have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) and more than 2 million young girls are at risk of undergoing FGM. FGM is practiced in different parts of the world. With globalisation and the increased movement of people across the globe, FGM is now a global problem. While ending FGM remains a priority, the approaches and strategies being used have generated contested views across the social divide. The purpose of this study is to explore the challenges in combatting FGM as experienced by Black Sub-Saharan African (BSSA) women in Diaspora. Design/methodology/approach This qualitative study used a phenomenological approach. Narratives were collected from 40 BSSA women from 20 Sub-Saharan African countries living in the English West Midlands region. A thematic approach underpinned by the four phases of data analysis in the Silences Framework were used to analyse the data. Findings The research study found that stigmatisation of survivors, utilisation of graphic images in FGM awareness, exclusion of practising communities’ gatekeepers in FGM interventions, conflation of religion and FGM practice and obsession with securing a conviction were obstacles in combating FGM. Diaspora community-driven studies exploring FGM and contested notions in addressing it from women perspectives are scarce. Originality/value This study pulls together the experiences of BSSA women and their perspectives on contested notions in combating FGM in the UK. The debate asserts the growing need to consider gender sensitive radical interventions, which involves educating perpetrators and gatekeepers among FGM practising communities.

Female genital mutilation in the UK: considerations for best nursing practice

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (12) ◽  
pp. 788-791
Author(s):  
Bethany Rose
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Female Genital Mutilation ◽  
Nursing Practice ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Public Health Concern ◽  
Genital Mutilation ◽  
Health Complications ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Female Genital

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is any process that injures or removes part or all of the external female genital organs for non-medical reasons. FGM is a growing public health concern in the UK because of an increase in migration from countries where it is widely practised. Education on FGM for nurses is key to supporting women who have undergone the practice, as well as safeguarding girls and women who are at risk. Nurses must understand the history and culture of FGM as well as the long-term health complications to be able to support affected women both professionally and sensitively.

Predictors of Female Genital Mutilation or Cutting Among Daughters of Women in Guinea, West Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-13
Author(s):  
Bright Opoku Ahinkorah ◽  
Edward Kwabena Ameyaw ◽  
Abdul-Aziz Seidu ◽  
Sanni Yaya
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Female Genital Mutilation ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Wealth Index ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Genital Mutilation ◽  
Creative Commons ◽  
Credible Intervals ◽  
Female Genital

Background and Objective: In some African countries like Guinea, female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) has been considered as an essential social norm in ensuring girls’ and women’s virginity by reducing their sexual desires. This study aimed at examining the factors associated with FGM/C among daughters of women aged 15-49 in Guinea. Methods: Using the 2018 Guinea Demographic and Health Survey, we analyzed data on 10,721 women of reproductive age (15-49 years) who had at least one daughter. A two-level multi-level logistic regression analysis was fitted and the random and fixed effects together with their corresponding 95% credible intervals (95% CrIs) were presented. Results: Women of all age categories had higher odds of having circumcised daughters with the substantially highest odds among those aged 35-39 (aOR=26.10, CrI=11.22-53.94) compared to those aged 15-19. “FGM/C was higher among daughters of circumcised mothers (aOR=5.50, CrI=3.11-9.72), compared to those who were not circumcise. Compared to Muslims, women who were either animists or had no religion were more likely to circumcise their daughters (aOR=2.13, CrI=1.12-4.05). Conversely, women with secondary/higher education, whose partners had secondary/higher education, Christians, women of richest wealth index and those who lived in the Faranah and N’zerekore regions were less likely to circumcise their daughters. Conclusion and Implications for Translation: The current study revealed that individual and contextual factors are associated with FGM/C among daughters of women aged 15-49 in Guinea. The findings imply that eliminating FGM/C in Guinea requires multifaceted interventions such as advocacy and educational strategies like focus group discussions, peer teaching, mentor-mentee programs in regions noted with the FGM/C practice. This will help achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 5.3 which focuses on eliminating all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation by 2030.   Copyright © 2021 Ahinkorah. et al. Published by Global Health and Education Projects, Inc. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0.

scholarly journals Improving care for women and girls who have undergone female genital mutilation/cutting: qualitative systematic reviews

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (31) ◽  
pp. 1-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catrin Evans ◽  
Ritah Tweheyo ◽  
Julie McGarry ◽  
Jeanette Eldridge ◽  
Juliet Albert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Female Genital Mutilation ◽  
Genital Mutilation ◽  
Women And Girls ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Experienced Female ◽  
Female Genital

Background In a context of high migration, there are growing numbers of women living in the UK who have experienced female genital mutilation/cutting. Evidence is needed to understand how best to meet their health-care needs and to shape culturally appropriate service delivery. Objectives To undertake two systematic reviews of qualitative evidence to illuminate the experiences, needs, barriers and facilitators around seeking and providing female genital mutilation-/cutting-related health care from the perspectives of (1) women and girls who have experienced female genital mutilation/cutting (review 1) and (2) health professionals (review 2). Review methods The reviews were undertaken separately using a thematic synthesis approach and then combined into an overarching synthesis. Sixteen electronic databases (including grey literature sources) were searched from inception to 31 December 2017 and supplemented by reference list searching. Papers from any Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development country with any date and in any language were included (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development membership was considered a proxy for comparable high-income migrant destination countries). Standardised tools were used for quality appraisal and data extraction. Findings were coded and thematically analysed using NVivo 11 (QSR International, Warrington, UK) software. Confidence in the review findings was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation – Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research (GRADE-CERQual) approach. All review steps involved two or more reviewers and a team that included community-based and clinical experts. Results Seventy-eight papers (74 distinct studies) met the inclusion criteria for both reviews: 57 papers in review 1 (n = 18 from the UK), 30 papers in review 2 (n = 5 from the UK) and nine papers common to both. Review 1 comprised 17 descriptive themes synthesised into five analytical themes. Women’s health-care experiences related to female genital mutilation/cutting were shaped by silence and stigma, which hindered care-seeking and access to care, especially for non-pregnant women. Across all countries, women reported emotionally distressing and disempowering care experiences. There was limited awareness of specialist service provision. Good care depended on having a trusting relationship with a culturally sensitive and knowledgeable provider. Review 2 comprised 20 descriptive themes synthesised into six analytical themes. Providers from many settings reported feeling uncomfortable talking about female genital mutilation/cutting, lacking sufficient knowledge and struggling with language barriers. This led to missed opportunities for, and suboptimal management of, female genital mutilation-/cutting-related care. More positive experiences/practices were reported in contexts where there was input from specialists and where there were clear processes to address language barriers and to support timely identification, referral and follow-up. Limitations Most studies had an implicit focus on type III female genital mutilation/cutting and on maternity settings, but many studies combined groups or female genital mutilation/cutting types, making it hard to draw conclusions specific to different communities, conditions or contexts. There were no evaluations of service models, there was no research specifically on girls and there was limited evidence on psychological needs. Conclusions The evidence suggests that care and communication around female genital mutilation/cutting can pose significant challenges for women and health-care providers. Appropriate models of service delivery include language support, continuity models, clear care pathways (including for mental health and non-pregnant women), specialist provision and community engagement. Routinisation of female genital mutilation/cutting discussions within different health-care settings may be an important strategy to ensure timely entry into, and appropriate receipt of, female genital mutilation-/cutting-related care. Staff training is an ongoing need. Future work Future research should evaluate the most-effective models of training and of service delivery. Study registration This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD420150300012015 (review 1) and PROSPERO CRD420150300042015 (review 2). Funding The National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research programme.

scholarly journals The impact of community led alternative rite of passage on eradication of female genital mutilation/cutting in Kajiado County, Kenya: A quasi-experimental study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0249662
Author(s):  
Samuel Muhula ◽  
Anthony Mveyange ◽  
Samuel Oji Oti ◽  
Martha Bande ◽  
Hellen Kayiaa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Female Genital Mutilation ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Rite Of Passage ◽  
Genital Mutilation ◽  
Community Stakeholders ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Female Genital

Introduction In Kenya, Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) is highly prevalent in specific communities such as the Maasai and Somali. With the intention of curtailing FMG/C prevalence in Maasai community, Amref Health Africa, designed and implemented a novel intervention—community-led alternative rite of passage (CLARP) in Kajiado County in Kenya since 2009. The study: a) determined the impact of the CLARP model on FGM/C, child early and forced marriages (CEFM), teenage pregnancies (TP) and years of schooling among girls and b) explored the attitude, perception and practices of community stakeholders towards FGM/C. Methods We utilised a mixed methods approach. A difference-in-difference approach was used to quantify the average impact of the model with Kajiado as the intervention County and Mandera, Marsabit and Wajir as control counties. The approach relied on secondary data analysis of the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 2003, 2008–2009 and 2014. A qualitative approach involving focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and key informant interviews were conducted with various respondents and community stakeholders to document experiences, attitude and practices towards FGM/C. Results The CLARP has contributed to: 1) decline in FGM/C prevalence, CEFM rates and TP rates among girls by 24.2% (p<0.10), 4.9% (p<0.01) and 6.3% (p<0.01) respectively. 2) increase in girls schooling years by 2.5 years (p<0.05). Perceived CLARP benefits to girls included: reduction in teenage marriages and childbirth; increased school retention and completion; teenage pregnancies reduction and decline in FGM/C prevalence. Community stakeholders in Kajiado believe that CLARP has been embraced in the community because of its impacts in the lives of its beneficiaries and their families. Conclusion This study demonstrated that CLARP has been positively received by the Maasai community and has played a significant role in attenuating FGM/C, CEFM and TP in Kajiado, while contributing to increasing girls’ schooling years. CLARP is replicable as it is currently being implemented in Tanzania. We recommend scaling it up for adoption by stakeholders implementing in other counties that practice FGM/C as a rite of passage in Kenya and across other sub Saharan Africa countries.

scholarly journals Is there a relationship between female genital mutilation/cutting and fistula? A statistical analysis using cross-sectional data from Demographic and Health Surveys in 10 sub-Saharan Africa countries

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. e025355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis Juma Matanda ◽  
Pooja Sripad ◽  
Charity Ndwiga
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Female Genital Mutilation ◽  
Health Surveys ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Demographic And Health Surveys ◽  
Common Belief ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Genital Mutilation ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Female Genital

ObjectivesLiterature on associations between female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and fistula points to a common belief that FGM/C predisposes women to developing fistula. This study explores this association using nationally representative survey data.DesignA secondary statistical analysis of cross-sectional data from Demographic and Health Surveys was conducted to explore the association between FGM/C and fistula.SettingSub-Saharan Africa.ParticipantsWomen aged 15–49 years in Burkina Faso (n=17 087), Chad (n=17 719), Côte d’Ivoire (n=10 060), Ethiopia (n=14 070), Guinea (n=9142), Kenya (n=31 079), Mali (n=10 424), Nigeria (n=33 385), Senegal (n=15 688) and Sierra Leone (n=16 658).Main outcome measuresFistula symptoms.ResultsMultivariate logit modelling using pooled data from 10 countries showed that the odds of reporting fistula symptoms were 1.5 times (CI 1.06 to 2.21) higher for women whose genitals were cut and sewn closed than those who had undergone other types of FGM/C. Women who attended antenatal care (ANC) (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.51, CI 0.36 to 0.71) and those who lived in urban areas (AOR 0.62, CI 0.44 to 0.89) were less likely to report fistula symptoms than those who did not attend ANC or lived in rural areas.ConclusionsSevere forms of FGM/C (infibulation) may predispose women to fistula. Contextual and socioeconomic factors may increase the likelihood of fistula. Multisectoral interventions that concurrently address harmful traditional practices such as FGM/C and other contextual factors that drive the occurrence of fistula are warranted. Promotion of ANC utilisation could be a starting point in the prevention of fistulas.

Failure to Protect Girls from Female Genital Mutilation

2015 ◽  
Vol 79 (5) ◽  
pp. 344-357
Author(s):  
Theodora A. Christou ◽  
Sam Fowles
Keyword(s):  
Female Genital Mutilation ◽  
Criminal Liability ◽  
Responsibility To Protect ◽  
Parental Responsibility ◽  
Genital Mutilation ◽  
International Obligations ◽  
The Law ◽  
Failure To Protect ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Female Genital

Whilst FGM had been a crime in the UK for over 2 decades, over 60, 000 girls continued to be mutilated. In 2015 the UK took its international obligations to protect girls from such physical harm more seriously and enacted new legislation. This article focuses on the parental responsibility to protect their daughter from harm and their criminal liability if they fail to take adequate action to prevent the mutilation occurring. We explore the socio-legal setting, the gaps in the law, the state's international obligations and finally the newly introduced rebuttable presumption.

Female genital mutilation (FGM) in UK children: a review of a dedicated paediatric service for FGM

2020 ◽  
Vol 105 (11) ◽  
pp. 1075-1078 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sakaria Ali ◽  
Roshnee Patel ◽  
Alice Jane Armitage ◽  
Hazel Isabella Learner ◽  
Sarah M Creighton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Female Genital Mutilation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Genital Mutilation ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Looked After Children ◽  
Paediatric Service ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Female Genital

ObjectiveTo describe the presentation and management of children with suspected or confirmed female genital mutilation (FGM) referred to a specialist paediatric clinic.MethodsData collected included referral source, age, ethnicity, circumstances of FGM and clinical findings in accordance with the WHO FGM classification.ResultsBetween September 2014 and January 2019, 148 children attended the clinic of whom 55 (37.2%) had confirmed FGM. Police or social care referred 112 (76%) children. The proportion of looked-after children (LAC) was significantly higher in the group with confirmed FGM (17/55, 31%) compared with children where FGM was not confirmed (5/93, 5%). In almost all children where FGM was confirmed, FGM was initially disclosed by the child or family (53/55, 96%) and of these 48/55 (87%) underwent FGM prior to UK entry. The remaining seven cases were British children, potentially meeting legal criteria under the FGM Act, and one resulted in a successful prosecution.ConclusionsThe number of children with FGM was significantly lower than expected based on UK prevalence estimates. Most children had undergone FGM prior to UK entry, and the majority of cases were initially disclosed by the child or family themselves. These results reflect the lack of large-scale proof of the practice of FGM in the UK and are consistent with growing evidence of the abandonment of FGM among communities after migration.

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