A qualitative study on the unresolved problem of female genital mutilations, socio-cultural reasons, and policy issues in the Afar regions of Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract: Female genital mutilation is one harmful traditional practice that is highly prevalent in African countries such as Guinea, Sierra Leone, the Gambia, Mauritania, Mali, and Burkina Faso, as well as in Sudan, Egypt, and Ethiopia. In these harmful traditional practices, women have an essential role as both perpetrators and victims of FGM. In developing countries, the issues of FGM receive little attention in restoring and maintaining the well-being and health of women, and the governments have not given them due attention. The socio-cultural settings also make women’s lives miserable. This study tried to assess the community perception, socio-cultural reasons, and the consequences of FGM on women’s livelihoods. It also integrates the issue of FGM in the study areas with the UN SDGs goals for 2030. In this study, a qualitative approach supported by a phenomenological study design has been employed. Twelve affected (or females) were included in the research, as were six circumcisers/female genital cutters or experts, five victim household parents, two focus group discussions, and the life histories of the three victims of female genital mutilation in the region. The findings of this study reveal that women are victims of harmful traditional practices in general and FGM in particular. Women’s cultural influence on tradition makes them accept that religion orders so. Women support FGM as they are less educated than men and because of the secondary social status they have in society. To minimize the problem, both governmental and non-governmental organizations should work collaboratively with community members.

Keywords

• FGM
• Htps
• Afar
• women’s
• vulnerabilities