scholarly journals ‘I have a story to tell’: Researching migrant women’s experiences of female genital mutilation and gender-based violence in Ireland and Europe

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 134-151
Author(s):  
Siobán O’Brien Green
Keyword(s):  
Child Protection ◽  
Female Genital Mutilation ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Research Issues ◽  
Genital Mutilation ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Female Genital

This article presents insights and practical lessons learned from multiple studies the author has undertaken and participated in as principal or co-researcher and/or provided expert guidance to in Ireland and Europe. These studies primarily focus on gender-based violence (GBV) and female genital mutilation (FGM) and given their foci, have an implicit need for cognisance of child protection, legislation and onward referral procedures. The research issues of interest are often considered taboo, private, not to be discussed outside immediate family and shameful. There are multiple practical and logistical barriers, as well as language and psycho-social obstacles, to participating in, and undertaking, research on these issues. The article discusses the approaches and routes taken to recruit women affected and impacted by the issues of FGM and GBV for research studies. The responsibility on researchers to present research study findings in a sensitive manner which does not add stigma to marginalised and vulnerable groups, but that enables policy makers to utilise the research for legislative and practical purposes, is also discussed.Keywords: gender-based violence (GBV); female genital mutilation (FGM); migration; ethics; stigma; research design

scholarly journals Leadership among Women Working to Eradicate Female Genital Mutilation: The Impact of Environmental Change in Transcultural Moments

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (16) ◽  
pp. 5996
Author(s):  
José Siles-González ◽  
Ana Isabel Gutiérrez-García ◽  
Carmen Solano-Ruíz
Keyword(s):  
Social Relations ◽  
Female Genital Mutilation ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Genital Mutilation ◽  
Practice Method ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Female Genital

The study of cultural moments can identify the level of acceptance of female genital mutilation and the visibility of the involved health problems in a globalized world. Aims: To describe the transcultural process through which immigrant women who have experienced female genital mutilation become leaders against this practice. Method: Descriptive research with cross-cultural principles and a qualitative approach. A semi-structured interview was the chosen technique for data collection. A total of 18 women participated in the preliminary observation and analysis unit, and only 8 women (38.8%) were ideologically against female genital mutilation (FGM). Inclusion criteria: The selected women had undergone FGM and were fully prepared to discuss it. Results: Staying in a different country and the associated social relations reduce cultural pressure and promote critical thinking. Cultural moments reflect the different situations that affect the perception and practice of female genital mutilation. Health problems associated with female genital mutilation (sexual, reproductive, and psychological) become visible at transcultural moments. Conclusions: Environmental country change affects the cultural pressure that sustains this practice in individual minds, institutions, structures, and bodies. These changes produce transcultural moments. The practice of female genital mutilation constitutes a significant segment of gender-based violence.

scholarly journals Leadership among women working to eradicate female genital mutilation: the impact of transcultural moments

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Siles-González ◽  
Ana Isabel Gutiérrez-García ◽  
Carmen Solano-Ruíz
Keyword(s):  
Social Relations ◽  
Female Genital Mutilation ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Genital Mutilation ◽  
Descriptive Research ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Female Genital

Abstract BackgroundThe study aims to describe the transcultural process through which immigrant women who have experienced female genital mutilation become leaders against this practice. This study also aims to identify the incidence of female genital mutilation in the invisibility of health problems (especially sexual and reproductive disorders).MethodDescriptive research with cross-cultural principles and a qualitative approach. A semi-structured interview was used for data collection. Inclusion criteria: the women investigated had undergone female genital mutilation and were fully prepared to discuss the issue.ResultsStaying and social relations in a different country reduce cultural pressure and promotes critical thinking. Cultural moments reflect the different situations that affect the thinking and practice of female genital mutilation. Health problems associated with female genital mutilation (sexual, reproductive and psychological) become visible at transcultural moments.ConclusionsThe country change affects the cultural pressure that keeps this practice in minds, institutions, structures and bodies. These changes produce the transcultural moments. The practice of female genital mutilation constitutes a significant segment of gender-based violence.

Female genital mutilation: Challenges for child welfare in an Australian context

2000 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-19
Author(s):  
Ian Patrick ◽  
Anne Markiewicz
Keyword(s):  
Child Welfare ◽  
Child Protection ◽  
Female Genital Mutilation ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Child Rearing ◽  
Genital Mutilation ◽  
Australian Context ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Female Genital

This article addresses the challenges facing the child welfare system in general, and child protection practice in particular, in responding to female genital mutilation (FGM) in an Australian context. Policy and programmatic responses to FGM are analysed to identify how child welfare concerns may be addressed in a culturally sensitive manner. PGM is depicted as a multi-dimensional phenomenon, related to a complex of inter-connected cultural, social, economic, religious, gender and migration issues. An appropriate response is one that acknowledges these antecedents through the utilisation of a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach. Legal and child protection responses to FGM are inadequate if operating in isolation and are most effective as adjuncts to community development strategies that are aimed at education, information dissemination and consciousness raising among affected communities. More work needs to be undertaken to develop frameworks for practitioners in a cross-cultural context, particularly in the light of continued settlement within Australia of migrant and refugee communities from countries with different child-rearing practices and beliefs.

Accountability for Sexual and Gender-based Violence During Mass Repression and in Conflict

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 307-324
Author(s):  
Daniela Kravetz
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Criminal Law ◽  
International Criminal ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
International Criminal Law ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
National Courts ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Domestic Level

Abstract This article examines how national courts in Argentina and Guatemala are applying the international criminal law framework to address sexual violence perpetrated during mass repression and in conflict. It focuses on the emerging domestic jurisprudence in both countries and explores the challenges to prosecuting sexual and gender-based violence at the domestic level and the lessons learned from these experiences.

scholarly journals Female genital mutilation in children presenting to Australian paediatricians

2017 ◽  
Vol 102 (6) ◽  
pp. 509-515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvonne Zurynski ◽  
Amy Phu ◽  
Premala Sureshkumar ◽  
Sarah Cherian ◽  
Marie Deverell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Child Health ◽  
Child Protection ◽  
Female Genital Mutilation ◽  
Cultural Awareness ◽  
Cultural Practice ◽  
Type I ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Genital Mutilation ◽  
Female Genital

ObjectiveThe WHO reports that female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is an ancient cultural practice prevalent in many countries. FGM/C has been reported among women resident in Australia. Our paper provides the first description of FGM/C in Australian children.DesignCross-sectional survey conducted in April–June 2014.SettingPaediatricians and other child health specialists recruited through the Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit were asked to report children aged <18 years with FGM/C seen in the last 5 years, and to provide data for demographics, FGM/C type, complications and referral for each case.ParticipantsOf 1311 eligible paediatricians/child health specialists, 1003 (76.5%) responded.ResultsTwenty-three (2.3%) respondents had seen 59 children with FGM/C and provided detailed data for 31. Most (89.7%) were identified during refugee screening and were born in Africa. Three (10.3%) were born in Australia: two had FGM/C in Australia and one in Indonesia. All parents were born overseas, mainly Africa (98.1%). Ten children had WHO FGM/C type I, five type II, five type III and six type IV. Complications in eight children included recurrent genitourinary infections, menstrual, sexual, fertility and psychological problems. Nineteen children (82.6%) were referred to obstetrics/gynaecology: 16 (69.9%) to social work and 13 (56.5%) to child protection.ConclusionsThis study confirms that FGM/C is seen in paediatric clinical practice within Australia. Paediatricians need cultural awareness, education and resources to help them identify children with FGM/C and/or at risk of FGM/C, to enable appropriate referral and counselling of children, families and communities to assist in the prevention of this practice.

scholarly journals Violence prevention in vulnerable groups: the case of children and gender-based violence

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
B Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Violence Against Children ◽  
Rights Of The Child ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Irregular Migrant

Abstract As of January 2018, nearly 50 million children had been uprooted from their homes due to violence, poverty or natural disasters. In 2016, one in four people seeking asylum in the EU are children. An analysis of nationally representative survey data on the prevalence of violence against children in 96 countries estimates that 1 billion children globally have experienced emotional, physical or sexual violence in the past year. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by nearly all states, must be fully implemented complied with. To support the implementation of the Convention, ten UN agencies incl. WHO have published the INSPIRE Handbook a technical package with seven strategies to end violence against children. Another significant public health issue that needs to be addressed is sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Evidence shows that being an irregular migrant or asylum seeker appears to make an individual more vulnerable to SGBV, including sexual assault and rape by traffickers and smugglers. Working alongside displaced communities and with different partners across multiple sectors are the strategies to reduce the risks of SGBV and to ensure support for survivors.

Nationwide multi-channel sexual reproductive health and gender based violence messaging campaign in Sierra Leone (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emeka Chukwu ◽  
Sonia Gilroy ◽  
John Sesay ◽  
Lalit Garg ◽  
Kim Eva Dickson
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Sierra Leone ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Significant Drop ◽  
Radio Stations ◽  
Sexual Reproductive Health ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
And Gender

BACKGROUND UNFPA launched two one-month campaigns to reach Sierra Leoneans at scale with critical Sexual Reproductive Health and gender-based violence messages during the Coronavirus 2019 pandemic. OBJECTIVE The intervention objective was to deliver Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) and gender-based violence (GBV) messages to mobile phone subscribers in Sierra Leone. This paper presents the intervention’s messaging campaign design, deployment methodologies, and design-decisions; shows campaign effectiveness; and share lessons learned, including call pickup rates and listening-duration. METHODS We designed and deployed a two-phased campaign – phase one targeted Freetown (urban) residents, and phase two targeted Sierra Leoneans nationwide (urban and rural). Phase one delivered Family Planning, Maternal Health, Gender Based Violence (GBV), and Coronavirus 2019 messages through automated voice calls, SMS, radio jingles, and social media. Phase two of the campaign delivered national GBV only campaign messages through SMS and Radio jingles. RESULTS In phase one, only 31% of the 1,093,606 initiated automated calls to 290,000 subscribers were picked up, and this dropped significantly at 95% confidence (p=1) after each of the four weeks. Also, at 95% confidence levels, a significant number of subscribers did not listen to the complete messages when repeated (p=1). Thirty-one million two hundred (31.2 million) SMS messages were sent to all 3.9 million active Africell subscribers in Sierra Leone during the second phase. Also, SRH and GBV messages were aired on thirteen national radio stations in Sierra Leone during the second phase. The national toll free helpline for GBV cases reported an increase in calls and attributed it to the campaign. Automated call interventions are cost and human resource intensive. Call pickup rates, listening duration, language, and consideration for users’ ability to re-reference messages are key factors when selecting scalable messaging campaign channels. The drop in the number of subscribers picking up automated calls from the first to fourth week was significant at a confidence level of 95%. According to the GBV helpline operators, the increase in calls reporting GBV was attributable to our campaign. CONCLUSIONS Only a third of subscribers called with pre-recorded messages picked up their calls. When automated calls are repeated, it leads to a significant drop in call completion rates. There was an increase in demand for service to the GBV helpline in the month following the campaign. A multi-channel messaging campaign helped reach different groups of young people.

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