Factors Perpetuating and Hindering the Continuance of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23489149

Health Care Women Int. 2012 Sep 4. [Epub ahead of print]

A Tradition in Transition: Factors Perpetuating and Hindering the Continuance of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) Summarized in a Systematic Review.

Berg RC, Denison E.

Source

a Department of Evidence-Based Health Services , Norwegian Knowledge Centre for the Health Services , Oslo , Norway.

Abstract

Understanding the forces underpinning female genital mutilation/ cutting (FGM/C) is a necessary first step to prevent the continuation of a practice that is associated with health complications and human rights violations. To this end, a systematic review of 21 studies was conducted. Based on this review, the authors reveal six key factors that underpin FGM/C: cultural tradition, sexual morals, marriageability, religion, health benefits, and male sexual enjoyment. There were four key factors perceived to hinder FGM/C: health consequences, it is not a religious requirement, it is illegal, and the host society discourse rejects FGM/C. The results show that FGM/C appears to be a tradition in transition.