Dismantling the man-made myths upholding female genital mutilation

ABSTRACT

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is internationally considered an affront to human rights and an act of violence against women and young girls. Furthermore, it hierarchizes and perpetuates inequality and denies women and girls the right to physical and psychosexual integrity. The aim of this study is to detect the weak points and false premises underlying male justification of FGM and to present demythologization as a health education tool. We used a qualitative methodology with an ethonursing focus via semistructured individual and group interviews in 25 men associated with FGM. Our results found that nine myths and their mythologization are presented through the masculine voices of those associated with this tradition. These myths are used as justification by men and women in order to uphold the practice of FGM. Demythologization as a nursing intervention based on reorienting or restructuring models of cultural care allows us to work against the false premises making up the myths which act to protect this tradition.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the men making up the sample for their participation. Without their altruistic contribution, this study would never have been possible. We would also like to extend our thanks to the Faculty of Nursing of the University of Murcia for allowing access to their facilities. We also thank the association DEMUSA; thanks to their existence, we were able to reach the study population.