FEMALE CIRCUMCISION (FGM)

Roots in Traditional Culture

Nile Valley and Sub-Saharan Africa

Purpose
    
    Moderation of Female Sexuality
    Assurance of Purity and Eligibility for Marriage
    Sanctioned by Islam(?)

Procedure

Efforts to Eradicate
    
    Conference on Population and Development
    CNN
    Ministerial Decrees
    NGOs
    Coalition of Women’s Health Groups

Models of Behavior Change
    
    Social Diffusion
        
        Exposure to New Ideas ==> Change
        
        Predisposing Factors
            
            Social Status – Education Level
            Learning Styles – Openness
            Non-familial Contacts – Community, Media
            Urban – Information Campaigns, Heterogeneity

    Convention Shift

        Public, Group Pledge To Abandon a Practice
        Critical Mass ==> Quick and Broad Change

Research in Egypt

    Urban Adults Less Inclined To Circumcise Daughters

        10% < Mothers

    Heightened Medicalization

        Physician vs. Traditional Practitioner

    Evidence for Social Diffusion

        Greater Exposure to Alternative Ideas – Information, Activists
        Heterogeneous Norms
        Maternal Schooling Mediates Diffusion

    Evidence for Convention Shift

        Tacit Agreement To Forego by Parents / Girls

    Interpretation

        Costs Outweigh Benefits
            
        Those Choosing Circumcision Hope To Minimize
            
            Pain
            Health Complications

DISCUSION:

    Greatest risk for girls 9-13 years old
        
➢    INTERVENTIONS?

Mothers’ education level influences daughters’ choice
        
➢    INTERVENTIONS?

Support for circumcision among boys > among girls

➢    INTERVENTIONS?