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Reproductive Health Matters
An international journal on sexual and reproductive health and rights
Volume 22, 2014 - Issue 43: Population, environment and sustainable development
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Original Articles

Female genital cutting in Hargeisa, Somaliland: is there a move towards less severe forms?

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Abstract

Abstract

According to several sources, little progress is being made in eliminating the cutting of female genitalia. This paper, based on qualitative interviews and observations, explores perceptions of female genital cutting and elimination of the phenomenon in Hargeisa, Somaliland. Two main groups of participants were interviewed: (1) 22 representatives of organisations whose work directly relates to female genital cutting; and (2) 16 individuals representing different groups of society. It was found that there is an increasing use of medical staff and equipment when a girl undergoes the procedure of female genital cutting; the use of terminology is crucial in understanding current perceptions of female genital cutting; religion is both an important barrier and facilitator of elimination; and finally, traditional gender structures are currently being challenged in Hargeisa. The findings of this study suggest that it is important to consider current perceptions on practices of female genital cutting and on abandonment of female genital cutting, in order to gain useful knowledge on the issue of elimination. The study concludes that elimination of female genital cutting is a multifaceted process which is constantly negotiated in a diversity of social settings.

Résumé

D’après plusieurs sources, l’élimination des mutilations génitales féminines progresse peu. Cet article, fondé sur des observations et entretiens qualitatifs, étudie les conceptions de la mutilation génitale féminine et l’élimination du phénomène à Hargeisa, Somaliland. Deux groupes principaux de participants ont été interrogés : 1) 22 représentants d’organisations dont le travail se rapporte directement aux mutilations génitales féminines ; et 2) 16 individus représentant différents groupes de la société. Il apparaît que le recours à du personnel et du matériel médical s’accroît quand une fille subit une procédure de mutilation génitale ; l’utilisation de la terminologie est cruciale pour comprendre les manières actuelles de voir la mutilation sexuelle féminine ; la religion représente à la fois un obstacle et une aide d’importance pour l’élimination de cette pratique ; et enfin, les structures sexuelles traditionnelles sont actuellement remises en question à Hargeisa. Cette étude suggère qu’il est important de tenir compte des conceptions actuelles de la mutilation sexuelle féminine et du renoncement à cette pratique pour obtenir une connaissance utile de la question de l’élimination. L’étude en conclut que l’élimination des mutilations sexuelles féminines est un processus à multiples facettes qui est constamment négocié dans une multiplicité de contextes sociaux.

Resumen

Según varias fuentes, se han logrado pocos avances para eliminar la práctica del corte de los genitales femeninos. En este artículo, basado en entrevistas cualitativas y observaciones, se examinan las percepciones del corte genital femenino y la eliminación de este fenómeno en Hargeisa, Somalilandia. Se entrevistó a dos grupos principales de participantes: (1) 22 representantes de organizaciones cuyo trabajo tiene relación directa con el corte genital femenino; y (2) 16 personas que representan a diferentes grupos de la sociedad. Se encontró un uso creciente de personal y equipos médicos para efectuar el procedimiento de corte genital femenino; el uso de terminología es crucial para entender las percepciones actuales del corte genital femenino; la religión es tanto una barrera importante como facilitadora de eliminación; por último, las estructuras tradicionales de género están siendo cuestionadas en Hargeisa. Los hallazgos de este estudio indican que es importante considerar las percepciones actuales de la práctica de corte genital femenino y el abandono de ésta, a fin de adquirir conocimientos útiles respecto a la eliminación. El estudio concluye que la eliminación del corte genital femenino es un proceso polifacético constantemente negociado en una diversidad de entornos sociales.

Acknowledgements

This work is based on Ingvild Lunde’s MPhil thesis in International Community Health, submitted to the Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, May 2012. She thanks Ingvill Krarup Sorbye, at Oslo University Hospital, for co-supervising the thesis. The authors want to thank all the participants who openly shared their knowledge and opinions.

Notes

* *Inter-Ministerial dialogue and consensus for the development of Ministerial statement on FGM/C abandonment, 28–29 November 2011.

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