scholarly journals Understanding the Experiences and Needs of Migrant Women Affected by Female Genital Mutilation Using Maternity Services in Australia

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 1491
Author(s):  
Sabera Turkmani ◽  
Caroline Homer ◽  
Angela Dawson
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Values ◽  
Maternity Care ◽  
Female Genital Mutilation ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Cultural Practice ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Maternity Services ◽  
Genital Mutilation ◽  
Female Genital

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a cultural practice defined as the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for non-therapeutic reasons. Changing patterns of migration in Australia and other high-income countries has meant that maternity care providers and health systems are caring for more pregnant women affected by this practice. The aim of the study was to identify strategies to inform culturally safe and quality woman-centred maternity care for women affected by FGM who have migrated to Australia. An Appreciative Inquiry approach was used to engage women with FGM. We conducted 23 semi-structured interviews and three focus group discussions. There were four themes identified: (1) appreciating the best in their experiences; (2) achieving their dreams; (3) planning together; and (4) acting, modifying, improving and sustaining. Women could articulate their health and cultural needs, but they were not engaged in all aspects of their maternity care or considered active partners. Partnering and involving women in the design and delivery of their maternity care would improve quality care. A conceptual model, underpinned by women’s cultural values and physical, emotional needs, is presented as a framework to guide maternity services.

Pattern of Female Genital Mutilation among Adolescents Attending Secondary Schools’ in Enugu Metropolis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Awoere T Chinawa ◽  
Josephat M Chinawa ◽  
Edmund N Ossai ◽  
Ann E Aronu ◽  
Godwin E Ozokoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Female Genital Mutilation ◽  
Female Circumcision ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Female Adolescents ◽  
Genital Mutilation ◽  
Major Complications ◽  
A Minor ◽  
Female Genital

Abstract Background Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a public health menace and it study among adolescents is not exhaustive. Objectives The aim is to study the prevalence, pattern, cultural values, health implications and consequences of FGM among adolescent females attending secondary schools in Enugu metropolis. Methods A descriptive study involving female adolescents aged 13–21 years recruited by multistage sampling in three Girls Secondary Schools in Enugu Metropolis. Results Four hundred and fifty (450) questionnaires were distributed and four hundred and fourteen (414) were retrieved. The parents with moderate value for culture and tradition had the highest circumcised respondents (7.8%) (p = 0.056). Majority of the respondents, 93.7% were aware of female circumcision. The major complications of female circumcision according to the respondents were painful urination and menstrual problems. The prevalence of female circumcision among the respondents was 9.4%. A minor proportion of the respondents, 5.8% were of the opinion that all females should be circumcised. Respondents whose fathers attained tertiary education were three times less likely to be circumcised when compared with those whose fathers attained secondary education and less (adjusted odds ratio  = 0.3; 95% CI: 0.3–1.5). Conclusion Prevalence of FGM among adolescents aged 13–21 years in Enugu metropolis was 9.4%. Majority of the respondents had good knowledge of FGM, and major complications noted were painful urination and menstrual problems. Fathers education level is a very strong reason for this high awareness of FGM among female adolescents.

Legal Impact of Female Genital Mutilation: Special Reference to Penal Laws and Human Rights Perspective in the Criminal Justice System of Sri Lanka

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 222-237
Author(s):  
Aruni Wijayath
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Female Genital Mutilation ◽  
Cultural Practice ◽  
World Health ◽  
African Region ◽  
Genital Mutilation ◽  
Female Community ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Female Genital

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a ritual and religious and cultural practice among the Moor, Malay and Dawoodi Bohra ethnic communities in Sri Lanka. The process of FGM is ensconced from the general public in Sri Lanka; therefore, few pieces of research pertaining to the practice of FGM are available. A considerable number of international organizations profess that the percentage of FGM/cutting is zero in Sri Lanka through their reports, although newspaper articles and country reports disclose that FGM actually exists among the Muslim community in Sri Lanka. The knowledge regarding the process of FGM is in the backwater in Sri Lanka, even though a considerable number of feminism activists have created a platform to discuss the bad consequences emerging from this harmful practice. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 30 countries of African Region, selected countries in the Middle East, and countries of Asian Region practice this custom among the female community in some ethnic and religious groups. Through this practice, the female community has not gained any advantage or benefit. The purpose of this research is to explore the municipal laws and human rights regarding FGM in the Sri Lankan context. Furthermore, international conventions which are ratified by Sri Lanka will be analysed in this manner. This research is mainly based on the normative method and retrieved Internet documentary analysis in a qualitative manner.

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 Potentials of Drama Therapy in Unmasking the Personae of Survivors of Female Genital Mutilation among the Kenyan Maasai

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-34
Author(s):  
Zippora Okoth ◽  
John Mugubi
Keyword(s):  
Female Genital Mutilation ◽  
Personal Responsibility ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Cultural Practice ◽  
Drama Therapy ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Will To Power ◽  
Power Theory ◽  
Genital Mutilation ◽  
Female Genital

Circumcision of females was and still remains a cultural practice in many African communities. While modernity and access to education has led to vilification of this tradition, the guardians and conservators of traditions who perceive not virtue but abomination in this revolution intrepidly use myths and falsehoods to sustain the tradition. Where that does not work, force is used. The Maasai are such a community where circumcision of women is still entrenched and highly esteemed. Some girls manage to escape but the effects of the harrowing escape remain. Subsequently, this study proceeds from the postulation that drama therapy is a useful tool not only to reach out to the survivors of any form of distress but also as an avenue for helping the victims cope while enhancing their selfexpression by obliterating the facade engendered by the trauma. Our contention is that as a tool for unlocking the voices of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) survivors, drama therapy creates a safe and playful environment where the survivors are able to act out their anxieties, fears and mental conflicts and reclaim their true beings, dreams and positions in society. In this way, drama therapy provides a platform on which the stigma related to FGM emotions can be expelled. While using various drama therapy techniques such as story-telling, poetry, role playing, song and dance, this paper examines and establishes how drama therapy can be used as an effective tool in regaining the real persona of survivors of Female Genital Mutilation. The study employs Nietzsche’s Will to Power theory and Rogerian theory of self in interrogating the potentials of drama therapy. Nietzsche’s Will to Power theory has been used to explore underlying motives behind the survivors’ rebellion against Female Genital Mutilation whereas Rogerian theory of Self has been used in exploring the survivors’ perception of their world, perception of the concepts of freedom, choice and personal responsibility, particularly after surviving Female Genital Mutilation. The study utilizes control-group as its research design while engaging in-depth interviews, questionnaires, focus group discussions and participatory theatre to obtain data for analysis. The data collected was analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively.

scholarly journals Female genital mutilation/cutting - towards abandonment of a harmful cultural practice

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (5) ◽  
pp. 400-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nesrin Varol ◽  
Ian S. Fraser ◽  
Cecilia H. M. Ng ◽  
Guyo Jaldesa ◽  
John Hall
Keyword(s):  
Female Genital Mutilation ◽  
Cultural Practice ◽  
Genital Mutilation ◽  
Female Genital

scholarly journals “I Can’t Blame Mum”: A Qualitative Exploration of Relational Dynamics in Women With Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the United Kingdom

2021 ◽  
pp. 107780122199491
Author(s):  
Rebecca J. Newton ◽  
Jennifer Glover
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Female Genital Mutilation ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Adult Women ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Relational Dynamics ◽  
Genital Mutilation ◽  
Self In Relation ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Female Genital

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is conceptualized as an interpersonal act, commonly initiated by mothers. This study investigates relational dynamics among adult women who experienced FGM in childhood and have since migrated to the United Kingdom. A qualitative research design was employed, using semi-structured interviews and interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) with nine women. Three superordinate themes emerged: (a) “The ‘who to blame?’ conflict: Preserving goodness in parents”; (b) “Better or worse? Positioning the self in relation to others”; and (c) “Regaining power: Righting the wrongs.” Implications for understanding the relational consequences of FGM and the discontinuation of its intergenerational transmission are considered.

scholarly journals Factors associated with the knowledge and attitude towards Female Genital Mutilation among antenatal clinic attendees in Southern Nigeria

2019 ◽  
pp. 183-192
Author(s):  
AI Obi ◽  
OE Obarisiagbon ◽  
OL Igbinadolor ◽  
KM Fatai ◽  
OO Adesoye
Keyword(s):  
Female Genital Mutilation ◽  
Antenatal Clinic ◽  
Cultural Practice ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Genital Mutilation ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Benin City ◽  
Edo State ◽  
Knowledge And Attitude ◽  
Female Genital

Background: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) remains a common cultural practice in Benin City, Edo State and by extension, Nigeria. The knowledge and attitude towards FGM may play significant roles in influencing this harmful socio-cultural practice. Objective: To identify factors associated with knowledge and attitude towards female genital mutilation (FGM) among Antenatal Clinic (ANC) attendees in selected health facilities in Benin City, Edo State. Methods: A facility-based, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted involving 400 pregnant women recruited by systematic sampling technique from selected health facilities in Benin City, Edo State. A pre-tested, interviewer-administered questionnaire was utilized for data collection from consenting pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in selected public tertiary and secondary health facilities in the study area. Information related to socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, and attitude towards FGM were collected. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 30.3±4.8 years. All the respondents were aware of the term Female Genital Mutilation. Two hundred and forty-eight (62%) and 302 (75.5%) had good knowledge and negative attitude towards FGM respectively. Age group (p = 0.005), religion (p = 0.007) and educational status (p <0.001) were identified as significant factors influencing knowledge of FGM while in relation to attitude towards FGM, knowledge of FGM (p<0.001) had significant influence. Conclusion: This study identified a gap between knowledge and attitude towards FGM among the respondents. Good knowledge of FGM significantly influenced attitude towards FGM. There is a need to scale up health sensitization during ANC sessions to bridge the gap identified.

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