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Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: A Review Of Laws And Policies In Kenya And Nigeria, Samuel Kimani, Otibho Obianwu
Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: A Review Of Laws And Policies In Kenya And Nigeria, Samuel Kimani, Otibho Obianwu
Reproductive Health
Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is a cultural practice that has health and human rights impacts on girls and women. The health sector has responsibility for prevention and response to provision of care services to women/girls with FGM/C-related complications. The mandate for the health sector response to FGM/C is anchored in nationwide or sector-specific legal/policy instruments. Kenya and Nigeria have ratified global legal/policy instruments and adopted WHO guidelines/tools for the prevention and management of FGM/C. The extent to which existing legal/policy documents in these two countries address prevention and response to management of FGM/C has been unclear. A desk review was …
Appendices—Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: A Review Of Laws And Policies In Kenya And Nigeria, Samuel Kimani, Otibho Obianwu
Appendices—Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: A Review Of Laws And Policies In Kenya And Nigeria, Samuel Kimani, Otibho Obianwu
Reproductive Health
This document contains Appendices to “Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: A Review of Laws and Policies in Kenya and Nigeria.” Appendix 1 contains two tables: “Components of Kenyan Laws Related to FGM/C Prevention and Management,” and “Components of Nigerian Laws Related to FGM/C Prevention and Management.” Appendix 2 contains seven tables: “Components Relevant to Health Sector Response to Prevention and Management of FGM/C in Kenyan Policies,” “Components Relevant to Health Sector Response to Prevention and Management of FGM/C in Nigerian Policies,” “Components Relevant to Health Sector Response to Prevention and Management of FGM/C in the Kenyan Plans of Action,” “Components Relevant to …
When And How Does Law Effectively Reduce The Practice Of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting?, Josephine Wouango, Susan L. Ostermann, Daniel Mwanga
When And How Does Law Effectively Reduce The Practice Of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting?, Josephine Wouango, Susan L. Ostermann, Daniel Mwanga
Reproductive Health
Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is recognized globally as carrying risks to both the physical and psychological health of girls and women and is widely considered a violation of human rights. An estimated 200 million girls and women in 30 countries have undergone FGM/C and as many as 30 million girls younger than 15 years of age are at risk. A common policy response to FGM/C is to call for the enactment and enforcement of criminal prohibitions on the practice. Yet, compliance with laws is complex: it can be motivated and undercut by moral, social, religious, and incentive-based factors. The study …
Measurement Of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Status: Perspectives From Healthcare Providers, Policymakers, Programme Implementers, And Researchers, Dennis Matanda
Reproductive Health
Among practicing communities, female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is a highly sensitive and emotionally charged issue, and open discussion is often considered taboo. Not only may it be difficult to motivate people to discuss the topic, but the validity of their responses may be questionable. These factors make research on FGM/C challenging and hence the need for careful consideration of research methodologies. There is a need for proper documentation of the strengths and limitations of the various data-collection methodologies to assist in generating reliable data for programmatic efforts toward FGM/C abandonment. This working paper describes a study undertaken to highlight methodological …
Exploring Changes In Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: Shifting Norms And Practices Among Communities In Fafan And West Arsi Zones, Ethiopia, Getaneh Mehari, Asabneh Molla, Ayantu Mamo, Dennis Matanda
Exploring Changes In Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: Shifting Norms And Practices Among Communities In Fafan And West Arsi Zones, Ethiopia, Getaneh Mehari, Asabneh Molla, Ayantu Mamo, Dennis Matanda
Reproductive Health
Globally, more than 200 million women and girls have undergone FGM/C. More than half of these girls and women live in three high-prevalence countries: Egypt, Ethiopia, and Indonesia. Given the increase in population growth, recent estimates show that the number of girls and women subject to FGM/C will continue to rise in the coming years unless sufficient efforts are undertaken to encourage abandonment of the practice. A descriptive analysis of changes in FGM/C prevalence over time in Ethiopia shows that the percentage of women aged 15–49 years who report undergoing FGM/C has been declining. Despite the decline, the FGM/C prevalence …
Using Demographic And Health Surveys In The Campaign To End Fgm/C: A Kenyan Example, Dennis Matanda, Caroline W. Kabiru
Using Demographic And Health Surveys In The Campaign To End Fgm/C: A Kenyan Example, Dennis Matanda, Caroline W. Kabiru
Reproductive Health
In order to design effective interventions to end female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), we need to map where FGM/C is practiced and what factors influence it. Data from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), nationally representative surveys conducted in low- and middle-income countries every five years, give us the opportunity to explore how FGM/C is influenced by both individual and community-level factors. Where FGM/C prevalence is not uniform, various research and analysis techniques can be used to improve estimates and draw further information from DHS data. This brief shares insights from two studies carried out in Kenya using DHS data collected …
Reference Guide For Data Collection: Qualitative Social Network Interviews, Bettina Shell-Duncan, Amadou Moreau, Sarah Smith, Holly B. Shakya
Reference Guide For Data Collection: Qualitative Social Network Interviews, Bettina Shell-Duncan, Amadou Moreau, Sarah Smith, Holly B. Shakya
Reproductive Health
The purpose of this document is to guide researchers who plan to use qualitative social network methods drawing on our experiences implementing a qualitative study entitled, “The End of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in Senegal: Tracing Social Networks, Investigating the Role of Gender and Intergenerational Influence.” Qualitative fieldwork was carried out in two contrasting settings in Senegal: 1) a region with a low prevalence of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) characterized by ethnic heterogeneity, and 2) a region with a high prevalence of FGM/C characterized by relative ethnic homogeneity. The goal of this research was to investigate the ways in which social …
Reference Guide: Factorial Focus Group Analysis Methods For Studying Social Norm Change, Bettina Shell-Duncan, Amadou Moreau, Katherine Wander, Sarah Smith
Reference Guide: Factorial Focus Group Analysis Methods For Studying Social Norm Change, Bettina Shell-Duncan, Amadou Moreau, Katherine Wander, Sarah Smith
Reproductive Health
The factorial focus group methodology described in this guide provides a powerful means of illuminating the social norms that uphold female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), and the ways in which meanings have at times become contested or rejected. The methods described here can be applied to the study of a wide range of behaviors influenced by social norms, such as early marriage, adoption of contraception, and more.
Exploring The Nigerian Health System's Response To Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting, Otibho Obianwu
Exploring The Nigerian Health System's Response To Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting, Otibho Obianwu
Reproductive Health
Although Nigeria has shown a steady long-term decline in female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) prevalence, the practice remains widespread. This study brief outlines the Population Council’s Evidence to End FGM/C research program, which, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, will conduct a diagnostic assessment in order to: 1) examine how the healthcare sector supports the prevention of FGM/C; 2) determine the role of the healthcare sector in the management of FGM/C-related complications and the quality of care offered to clients; and 3) identify possible solutions for strengthening the healthcare system’s capacity to manage and prevent FGM/C. Findings are intended …
Modeling And Mapping Of Girls' Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (Fgm/C) In The Context Of Economic, Social, And Regional Disparities: Kenya Demographic And Health Surveys 1998-2014, Ngianga-Bakwin Kandala, Damaris Kinyoki, Ahmed Sarki, David Gathara, Paul Komba, Bettina Shell-Duncan
Modeling And Mapping Of Girls' Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (Fgm/C) In The Context Of Economic, Social, And Regional Disparities: Kenya Demographic And Health Surveys 1998-2014, Ngianga-Bakwin Kandala, Damaris Kinyoki, Ahmed Sarki, David Gathara, Paul Komba, Bettina Shell-Duncan
Reproductive Health
The aim of this research study is analysis of successive household data for estimating and revealing trends, similarities, and differences in geographic patterns for the burden of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and related risk factors among girls ages 14 and younger in Kenya. This Evidence to End FGM/C study, from a coalition led by the Population Council, is intended to contribute to a deeper understanding of the recent burden of FGM/C among the girls within this very young age group, and to enhance knowledge of the geographic distribution of this practice over time. The report will inform current elimination efforts …
Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting In Kenya: Is Change Taking Place? Descriptive Statistics From Four Waves Of Demographic And Health Surveys, Bettina Shell-Duncan, David Gathara, Zhuzhi Moore
Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting In Kenya: Is Change Taking Place? Descriptive Statistics From Four Waves Of Demographic And Health Surveys, Bettina Shell-Duncan, David Gathara, Zhuzhi Moore
Reproductive Health
Nationally representative survey data on female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) in Kenya are available from four waves of Demographic and Health Surveys. These survey data provide a rich and detailed picture of when, where, and how FGM/C has been carried out, and trends in changes in the practice. National prevalence data from successive waves of surveys show a steady decrease in the prevalence of FGM/C among women aged 15–49. While the data reported here are descriptive, they provide useful insights on the progress of FGM/C abandonment at national and subnational levels. These findings are useful for policymakers in steering discussions on …
Exploring The Association Between Fgm/C And Fistula: A Review Of The Evidence, Pooja Sripad, Charity Ndwiga, Kaji Tamanna Keya
Exploring The Association Between Fgm/C And Fistula: A Review Of The Evidence, Pooja Sripad, Charity Ndwiga, Kaji Tamanna Keya
Reproductive Health
Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and fistula are both conditions that have a range of health, socioeconomic, and lifestyle causes and consequences for women globally. There have been sparse empirical and conceptual efforts to look at how these two conditions manifest and relate to one another. This rigorous review of the literature aims to fill this research gap by assessing the state of evidence on the association of FGM/C and fistula and conceptually mapping this association within broader social, political, and health-systems contexts. Based on the findings, the authors of this report have developed a conceptual mapping framework to situate the …
Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting In Nigeria: A Scoping Review, Blessing U. Mberu
Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting In Nigeria: A Scoping Review, Blessing U. Mberu
Reproductive Health
This report’s overarching objective is the examination of key trends in the evidence base of female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM/C) and gaps in knowledge for Nigeria, building on a scoping review of peer-reviewed and "grey" literature along with quantitative analysis of relevant data. What is clear from prevalence levels identified over the last 15 years is how widespread different types of FGM/C are, in Nigeria’s different ethno-geographical zones, and the little change that has taken place over time, despite increased international, and renewed national, political commitment to eradicate the practice. The findings show that much work remains to be …
Exploring The Association Between Fgm/C And Early/Child Marriage: A Review Of The Evidence, Jamlick Karumbi, David Gathara, Jacinta Muteshi-Strachan
Exploring The Association Between Fgm/C And Early/Child Marriage: A Review Of The Evidence, Jamlick Karumbi, David Gathara, Jacinta Muteshi-Strachan
Reproductive Health
Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) has been frequently linked to marriageability and thought to be associated with child marriage, yet there is remarkably little rigorous research to clarify the relationship between these two practices to inform discussions and responses. Furthermore, trends are also shifting in the timing of FGM/C from adolescence to early childhood, and the implications this might have on the links between early/child marriage and FGM/C are not well understood. This review of current available evidence aims to assess the association between FGM/C and early/child marriage in contexts where both practices are carried out. The social and cultural norms …
Female Genital Cutting In Somaliland: Baseline Assessment, Katy Newell-Jones
Female Genital Cutting In Somaliland: Baseline Assessment, Katy Newell-Jones
Reproductive Health
This report summarizes research findings into the prevalence and attitudes around female genital cutting (FGC) in 20 communities across five regions of Somaliland. There was a specific focus on young people, who accounted for 47 percent of the interviewees, and also on the role of schools in promoting abandonment of cutting. This research found that the prevalence of FGC in the five regions studied is 98.9 percent across all age groups in city, semi-city, and village communities. The findings indicate that decisionmaking in relation to FGC has less to do with having accurate knowledge, and more to do with the …
Rapid Evidence Assessment: Quality Of Studies Assessing Interventions To Support Fgm/C Abandonment, Tammary Esho, Jamlick Karumbi, Carolyne Njue
Rapid Evidence Assessment: Quality Of Studies Assessing Interventions To Support Fgm/C Abandonment, Tammary Esho, Jamlick Karumbi, Carolyne Njue
Reproductive Health
The last decade has seen increased focus and investment in interventions to eliminate female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), along with the need to accelerate its abandonment. The UK Department for International Development (DFID) commissioned the Evidence to End FGM/C: Research to Help Girls and Women Thrive project to: 1) assess the quality of studies that have evaluated different interventions for the prevention of FGM/C, and 2) describe the FGM/C interventions that were evaluated by high-quality studies. The quality of evidence on the effectiveness and impact of FGM/C interventions is generally moderate to low. In addition, few baseline surveys are conducted prior …
A State-Of-The-Art Synthesis On Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: What Do We Know Now?, Bettina Shell-Duncan, Reshma Naik, Charlotte Feldman-Jacobs
A State-Of-The-Art Synthesis On Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: What Do We Know Now?, Bettina Shell-Duncan, Reshma Naik, Charlotte Feldman-Jacobs
Reproductive Health
Efforts to end female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) are a rising priority on many national and global agendas. Thus it is imperative to have a clear understanding of the scale and scope of the practice, and where it occurs, as well as the dynamics of change and the broader context surrounding it. This state-of-the-art synthesis offers a snapshot of the most recent data available as of July 2016 and the most relevant contextual information on key FGM/C issues in clear, nontechnical language that can help inform policymakers, donors, program planners, and other key stakeholders. The data point to “hot spot” geographic …
Evidence To End Fgm/C: Research To Help Girls And Women Thrive, Population Council
Evidence To End Fgm/C: Research To Help Girls And Women Thrive, Population Council
Reproductive Health
This factsheet describes a new Population Council–led research program, funded by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development, which will join the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on FGM/C: Accelerating Change and the Girl Generation in the Campaign to End Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) within One Generation. The program will generate high-quality evidence to influence strategic investment, policy, and programming to end FGM/C. This five-year program will work in 6–9 sub-Saharan African countries to dramatically expand the body of evidence on the most effective approaches to ending FGM/C. The research program will be organized around four themes: building the picture of where, …
Evidence To End Fgm/C: Research To Help Girls And Women Thrive [Arabic], Population Council
Evidence To End Fgm/C: Research To Help Girls And Women Thrive [Arabic], Population Council
Reproductive Health
[In Arabic] This factsheet describes a new Population Council–led research program, funded by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development, which will join the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on FGM/C: Accelerating Change and the Girl Generation in the Campaign to End Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) within One Generation. The program will generate high-quality evidence to influence strategic investment, policy, and programming to end FGM/C. This five-year program will work in 6–9 sub-Saharan African countries to dramatically expand the body of evidence on the most effective approaches to ending FGM/C. The research program will be organized around four themes: building the picture …
Root Causes And Persistent Challenges In Accelerating The Abandonment Of Fgm/C, Jacinta Muteshi-Strachan
Root Causes And Persistent Challenges In Accelerating The Abandonment Of Fgm/C, Jacinta Muteshi-Strachan
Reproductive Health
No abstract provided.
Ending The Medicalization Of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting In Egypt [Arabic], Sarah Ghattass, Nahla G. Abdel-Tawab, Salma Abou Hussein
Ending The Medicalization Of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting In Egypt [Arabic], Sarah Ghattass, Nahla G. Abdel-Tawab, Salma Abou Hussein
Reproductive Health
[In Arabic] This policy brief examines the extent of medicalization of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) in Egypt, the characteristics of girls who were cut by medical personnel, factors that may have contributed to increased medicalization, and potential interventions that could influence both physicians and the public to completely abandon the practice. The data show that younger cohorts of women, those from higher wealth quintiles, higher levels of education, and living in urban regions are more likely to have been cut by medical personnel. More importantly, the analysis shows that despite medicalization being more common among young women with the above-mentioned …
Programme De Recherche Pour Mettre Fin Aux Mgf/E, Population Council
Programme De Recherche Pour Mettre Fin Aux Mgf/E, Population Council
Reproductive Health
Cette fiche technique décrit un nouveau programme de recherche sous la direction du Population Council, financé par le Département pour le développement international du Royaume-Uni, qui s’associera au Programme conjoint UNFPA-UNICEF sur les mutilations génitales féminines/excisions (MGF/E) et Girl Generation pour mener une campagne pour mettre fin à la MGF/E en une génération. Le programme de recherche produira des données probantes de haute qualité pour influencer l’investissement stratégique, les politiques, et les programmes visant à mettre fin à la MGF/E. Ce programme établi sur cinq ans sera mis en œuvre dans 6 à 9 pays d’Afrique sub-saharienne afin d’augmenter considérablement …
Health Impacts Of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: A Synthesis Of The Evidence, Samuel Kimani, Jacinta Muteshi-Strachan, Carolyne Njue
Health Impacts Of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: A Synthesis Of The Evidence, Samuel Kimani, Jacinta Muteshi-Strachan, Carolyne Njue
Reproductive Health
The Africa Coordinating Centre for the Abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting, with support from the Population Council, sought to synthesize the evidence on the health impacts of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), identify recommended interventions, and compile and analyze the existing reference materials. The goal of this review is to inform the development of a comprehensive set of training guidelines and materials for frontline healthcare providers so they can manage the care of women and girls who have undergone FGM/C, prevent the practice at the community level, and accelerate abandonment of FGM/C practices. This analysis underscores the health impacts associated with …
Ending The Medicalization Of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting In Egypt, Sarah Ghattass, Nahla G. Abdel-Tawab, Salma Abou Hussein
Ending The Medicalization Of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting In Egypt, Sarah Ghattass, Nahla G. Abdel-Tawab, Salma Abou Hussein
Reproductive Health
This policy brief examines the extent of medicalization of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) in Egypt, the characteristics of girls who were cut by medical personnel, factors that may have contributed to increased medicalization, and potential interventions that could influence both physicians and the public to completely abandon the practice. The data show that younger cohorts of women, those from higher wealth quintiles, higher levels of education, and living in urban regions are more likely to have been cut by medical personnel. More importantly, the analysis shows that despite medicalization being more common among young women with the above-mentioned characteristics, it …
Considerations On The Use And Interpretation Of Survey Data On Fgm/C, Bettina Shell-Duncan
Considerations On The Use And Interpretation Of Survey Data On Fgm/C, Bettina Shell-Duncan
Reproductive Health
This technical brief was written as an addendum to the trends presented in the “State of-Art-Synthesis of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: What Do We Know Now?” published in October 2016. This brief describes important sources of reliable data that have been generated in recent years, to provide accurate information on FGM/C practices and attitudes. The majority of these data are derived from cross-sectional survey research, and the brief notes the strengths and limitations of this research approach which should be borne in mind when using and interpreting these data. Table 1 summarizes nationally representative data on FGM/C available from a number …
The Fgm/C Research Programme, Jacinta Muteshi-Strachan
The Fgm/C Research Programme, Jacinta Muteshi-Strachan
Reproductive Health
No abstract provided.
Evidence To End Fgm/C Research Programme: Presentation At The Sixtieth Session Of The Un Commission On The Status Of Women, Jacinta Muteshi-Strachan
Evidence To End Fgm/C Research Programme: Presentation At The Sixtieth Session Of The Un Commission On The Status Of Women, Jacinta Muteshi-Strachan
Reproductive Health
No abstract provided.
Monitoring And Evaluating Fgm/C Abandonment Programs, Jacinta Muteshi-Strachan, Carolyne Njue
Monitoring And Evaluating Fgm/C Abandonment Programs, Jacinta Muteshi-Strachan, Carolyne Njue
Reproductive Health
No abstract provided.
National Efforts Toward Fgm-Free Villages In Egypt: The Evidence Of Impact, Ghada Barsoum, Nadia Rifaat, Omaima El-Gibaly, Nihal Elwan, Natalie Forcier
National Efforts Toward Fgm-Free Villages In Egypt: The Evidence Of Impact, Ghada Barsoum, Nadia Rifaat, Omaima El-Gibaly, Nihal Elwan, Natalie Forcier
Poverty, Gender, and Youth
This report is a midterm evaluation and documentation of the process and approach of the FGM-Free Village Model implemented in Egypt by the National Council of Childhood and Motherhood with assistance from the Population Council. In a comparison of responses from women and men in intervention groups to those in nonintervention (control) villages, data analysis shows that the program has been successful in changing views and attitudes toward female genital mutilation (FGM). FGM is an entrenched generational practice, and eradicating it in a community requires concerted effort over an extended period of time. This evaluation strongly recommends that efforts be …
Toward Fgm-Free Villages In Egypt: A Mid-Term Evaluation And Documentation Of The Fgm-Free Village Project, Ghada Barsoum, Nadia Rifaat, Omaima El-Gibaly, Nihal Elwan, Natalie Forcier
Toward Fgm-Free Villages In Egypt: A Mid-Term Evaluation And Documentation Of The Fgm-Free Village Project, Ghada Barsoum, Nadia Rifaat, Omaima El-Gibaly, Nihal Elwan, Natalie Forcier
Poverty, Gender, and Youth
This Population Council report is a mid-term evaluation and documentation of the process and approach of the FGM-Free Village Model in Egypt. The objective of this report is to create a knowledge base of information to support policy dialogue on female genital mutilation (FGM) and to assist in transferring knowledge about the model to other communities across Egypt and other countries where FGM is practiced. Impact evaluation at the community level shows the significant impact of the project in changing views and attitudes toward FGM among intervention groups. However, it also shows that FGM is an entrenched generational problem that …