‘ Hear our Voices’ -women’s Health and Family Services
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| Why is FGM/C practiced?
Drawing upon recent literature reviews and peer reviewed publications on FGM/C (Berg & Dension, 2013; Brady & Files, 2007; Gele et al. 2013; Imoh, 2013; Reig Alcaraz et al. 2014; Vloeberghs et al. 2012) I have listed below the disparate and prevailing beliefs that may account for why FGM/C continues to be practised, as well as reasons why individuals and communities may support the discontinuation of FGM/C. Factors favoring the continuation of FGM/C Social pressure (see social norms approach) Preservation of women’s virginity Aesthetics Male preference and increased sexual pleasure for men To preserve a women’s dignity and honour and avoid shame on entire family Pre-requisite for marriage Cultural conformity: Tradition and Religion (although it is not dictated by any religion) Hygiene and assumed health benefits Lack of knowledge about the practice of health care professionals Discrimination, marginalisation, lack of trust Poor communication Lack of respect for women’s privacy Language difficulties
Media publicity Discussions with family members, community, friends, religious institutions Health concerns and consequences: problems during pregnancy and childbirth Negative personal experience including loss of sexual pleasure Impact on mental health The husband is against it Law of the country of residence* *Where FGM/C is punishable by law, new attitudes towards the eradication of FGM/C are adopted in the women’s place of residence. Dustin (2004) argues that in the UK efforts to reduce FGM/C have focused on punitive legislation without sufficiently empowering women in the communities concerned to engage in debate to change attitudes and create alternative ways of affirming their cultural identity. Directory: sites sites -> The United States and Post-Castro Cuba sites -> Fighting Fit: Exploring Military Medicine (1850-1950) sites -> 9. 5 Political Powers and Achievements Tom Burns- beacon High School sites -> Indiana Academic Standards Resource Guide World History and Civilization Standards Approved March 2014 sites -> Penn State Harrisburg American Studies/Women Studies 104: Women and the American Experience Spring 2015 Instructor: Kathryn Holmes sites -> Penn State Harrisburg am st/wmnst 104: Women and the American Experience Spring 2015 Instructor: Kathryn Holmes sites -> Abolition and Women’s Rights Chap. 14 Se sites -> In the years between the Seneca Falls Convention and the Civil War, powerful links existed between antislavery and women’s rights advocates. Virtually all women’s rights advocates supported abolition Share with your friends:
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