Selected Factors Leading to the Transmission of Female Genital Mutilation Across Generations : Quantitative Analysis for Six African Countries

Onagoruwa, Adenike ; Wodon, Quentin

World Bank, Washington, DC

关键词: VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN;    GENITAL MUTILATION;    CHILD MARRIAGE;    HEALTH SURVEYS;   

RP-ID  :  123132

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: World Bank Open Knowledge Repository

【 摘 要 】

The attention given to the issue offemale genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C) as a harmfulpractice has been growing in recent years. Yet, while endingfemale genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C, bothterminologies are used in the literature) is a target underthe Sustainable Development Goals, the practice remainscommon. FGM/C is practiced not only in Africa, which is theregion on which this note focuses, but also in other regionsof the world and even in high income countries with diasporafrom high FGM/C prevalence countries. While the prevalenceof the practice is declining, it remains high in somecountries. FGM/C is known to have potentially lifethreatening health consequences for girls, especially whenthe cutting is severe. While there can be significant healthrisks in all forms of FGM/C, especially in cases ofinfibulation, which can lead to the removal of virtually allexternal sexual organs, the practice has been linked toinfections, infertility, and childbirth complications, amongothers. Cases of girls dying after being cut have beendocumented in the media. The practice may also affect thechildren of girls being cut, in part due to complications atbirth. More generally, in terms of its drivers and otherconsequences, the practice is related to deep-seatedpatterns of gender inequality and gender-based violence.