Cultura de los Cuidados (Jun 2019)

Cases studies about female genital mutilation «Jadare» in the culture fulbe (Guinea Bissau)

  • Cadidjato Baldé,
  • Almudena Arroyo Rodríguez

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14198//cuid.2019.53.15
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 23, no. 53
pp. 156 – 167

Abstract

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Objective: Female genital mutilation covers all procedures that, intentionally and for non-medical reasons, alter or damage, partially or totally, the female genital organs whether for cultural or religious reasons. It is estimated that between 100 and 140 million girls and women around the world have suffered one of the first three types of female genital mutilation. "In Europe, it affects approximately 500,000 girls, and in countries such as Spain, around 17,000 girls are at risk of suffering from this practice. The main objective of the study is to describe the female genital mutilation/jadare from the perspective of the Fulbe culture, in order to provide strategic measures, which help the health professional to carry out an appropriate intervention. A case study has been carried out. The data were obtained from the semi-structured interviews conducted with 5 subjects of the Fulbe culture, three women and two men; of informal conversations and thorough observation of the participants. Currently, in fulbe culture, traditions such as FGM are common practices that they maintain despite their prohibition. Within the Fula community, Jadare is the term used to refer to those activities carried out as a process of initiation into adulthood for girls, before their first menstruation and subsequent marriage. The meaning of this day within the Fulbe culture differs substantially from the meaning that in Spain and other European countries attribute to FGM. After carrying out an exhaustive observation and several interviews, we can confirm that female genital mutilation is a practice implemented within the Fulbe culture by tradition "Co Fina Tauwa". That is the reason why some reject its prohibition.

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