Female Genital Mutilation

This document discusses the topic of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and its impact on women's health and well-being. It explores the psychological effects of FGM and the violation of human rights. The document also provides a literature review and research methodology for further study.

Running head: FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION
Female Genital Mutilation
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Acknowledgement
Thank you to all of those who have helped listened and encouraged me throughout this study. I
am indebted to my supervisor ……………………. whose guidance, advice and patience have
been immeasurable. My sincere thanks to all members of the…………… [Mention your
university/college name], both staff and students, whose continuous support have made this
thesis possible.
I would like to thank all of the participants in the study: students, teachers and Local Education
Authorities, for the time and help given throughout. Without their participation, this research
would not have been possible. In this context, I am also thankful to them, whose research work
helped me to execute this paper well.
Finally, I thank my family, without whom this thesis would not have been started or completed!
Your encouragement and support have never faltered; thank you.

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Abstract
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a widely talked about topic today in the United Kingdom.
The government has become extra responsive of Female genital mutilation among some
immigrant communities and a legislation has been implemented as the main tool to be used as
intervention. Due to increased migration of members from ethnic minority groups, the UK has
received families from countries where Female genital mutilation is practiced and considered as
a norm. Around 100,000 or more girls and women in the UK have been victims of Female
genital mutilation, thus, the main reason of choosing my research topic is having experienced
Female genital mutilation in my teenage as part of my cultural tradition and leaving in a
community where most people have been subject to the practice as well as studying my social
work degree. Upon listening to some mothers’ view in regards to Female genital mutilation, I
reflected on this as a community development student and thought of how equipped community
workers were if they are to work with such mothers. This has instigated me carry out a research
proposal in this area. In this research proposal, a literature review will first be carried out on the
existing literature on Female genital mutilation is a vital foundation to develop any research
study. This will be followed by the methodology, where a proposal of carrying out a qualitative
study using interviews will be outlined. An explanation of the data collection method and data
analysis method will be given, any ethical issues when conducting the research will also be
considered and how these issues will be addressed. Finally, a summary of the proposal’s strength
and limitation will be given then a consideration of potential implications for community
development workers practice and the need for future research will also be highlighted.

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Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction....................................................................................................................3
Chapter 2: Literature Review...........................................................................................................5
Theme 1: Psychological impact...................................................................................................5
Theme 2: Infringement of Human Rights....................................................................................6
Chapter 3: Research Methodology..................................................................................................9
3.0 Overview................................................................................................................................9
3.1 Research Outline....................................................................................................................9
3.2 Research Philosophy..............................................................................................................9
3.3 Research Approach..............................................................................................................10
3.4 Research Design..................................................................................................................10
3.5 Research Strategy................................................................................................................10
3.6 Sampling technique and sample size...................................................................................11
3.7 Data Collection Process.......................................................................................................11
3.8 Data analysis technique.......................................................................................................11
3.9 Ethical Consideration...........................................................................................................11
3.10 Accessibility Issues............................................................................................................12
3.11 Summary............................................................................................................................12
Chapter 4: Data Findings and Analysis.........................................................................................13
4.0 Overview..............................................................................................................................13

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4.1 Data Findings and Analysis.................................................................................................13
4.3 Summary..............................................................................................................................18
Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendation...............................................................................19
Future Scope of Action..............................................................................................................21
Chapter 5: Research Log...............................................................................................................22
References:....................................................................................................................................23
Appendices:...................................................................................................................................27
Appendix 1: Interview Schedule...............................................................................................27
Appendix 2: Four types of female genital mutilation................................................................28

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Chapter 1: Introduction
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a widely talked about topic today in the United
Kingdom. (Elvin, 2013) stated that, the government has become extra responsive of FGM among
some immigrant communities and a legislation has been implemented as the main tool to be used
as intervention. There are four types of FGM ranging from type1-4 (please refer to appendix 2).
(Berg and Denison, 2012) argue that, there has been a great deal of press and political interest
about the lack of prosecution under the UK legislation.
Due to increased migration of members from ethnic minority groups, the UK has
received families from countries where FGM is practiced and considered as a norm. (Elvin,
2013) argues that, around 100,000 or more girls and women in the UK have been victims of
FGM, thus, the main reason of choosing my research topic is having experienced FGM in my
teenage as part of my cultural tradition and leaving in a community where most people have been
subject to the practice as well as studying my social work degree.
Leaving in a community and interacting with mothers who have undergone FGM has
caused me to encounter many arguments with mothers who still believe that FGM practice is
culturally important, upon all the impacts it has on a woman’s health and wellbeing. I have had
an insight of most mothers’ rational about the practice and their views when interacting with
them. I established that the culture an individual is raised in has a significant impact on an
individual’s thinking thus, imbedding cultural norms that maybe difficult to abandon.
Upon listening to some mothers’ view in regards to FGM, I reflected on this as a
community development student and thought of how equipped community workers were if they
are to work with such mothers. This has instigated me carry out a research proposal in this area.

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In this research proposal, a literature review will first be carried out on the existing
literature on FGM as Robson, (2007) argues that it is a vital foundation to develop any research
study. This will be followed by the methodology, where a proposal of carrying out a qualitative
study using interviews will be outlined. An explanation of the data collection method and data
analysis method will be given, any ethical issues when conducting the research will also be
considered and how these issues will be addressed. Finally, a summary of the proposal’s strength
and limitation will be given then a consideration of potential implications for community
development workers practice and the need for future research will also be highlighted.

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Chapter 2: Literature Review
A literature review is done in order to critically examine and summarise the present
information and research about FGM cultural practice and how equipped community
development worker are when working with mothers who believe FGM is culturally important.
This was attained by gathering resources which were significant to this research and each paper
was read deeply and analysed in a systematic manner. Babbie, (2007) argues that collating
resources that are relevant to the research allows critical analysis hence producing particular
themes. To help in the examination of the resources found, the procedure of literature reviewing
as shown by Punch (2014) was used (See Appendix 3) and in the next sections, two themes from
the resources gathered (as shown in appendix 4 the summary for papers selected for the
literature review) were identified and now will be discussed.
Theme 1: Psychological impact
(Costello et al, 2013) states that, Communities where FGM is practiced generally believe
that it is in the best interest of the girl or young woman yet globally, activist argue that this
practices cause severe pain and irreversible harm to girls and women. (Toubia1994) notes that
because of this practice, most women suffer from psychological and psychosomatic disorders
like lack of sleep, mood swings, cognition changes, depression, chronic anxiety, and panic
attacks.
The World Health Organization (2008) reported that there may be an immediate
psychological trauma that is caused after the procedure that stems from the pain, shock and
physical force used when performing FGM. In the long term, this may cause Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and memory loss. (Hussein 2015) stated that, a
study in African communities that practiced FGM in Bristol found that women who had

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undergone the procedure had the same level of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as those who
suffered early childhood abuse. (Dustin and Davis 2007) wrote that, women that have undergone
FGM may also suffer chronic pain syndrome and like any other causes of chronic pain, there can
be an increased risk of depressed mood resulting into reduced social functioning, feelings of
worthlessness, guilt, and suicidal ideation.
Furthermore, (Vloeberghs et al, 2012) wrote that this harmful procedure also causes other
psychological as well as psychical sequalae. In adolescent, girls suffer anxiety when they think
of the pain they will experience during menstruation each month. Women are worried and
terrified of their wedding nights and some are forced into anal sex as virginal sex may be
difficult which can lead to the woman suffering extra trauma from this specific sexual practice.
(Knipscheer, et al 2015) notes that women who have experienced FGM experience emotional
pain during sexual intercourse and this affects the intimacy in the relationship. Intercourses are
painful and difficult and thus, women avoid sex and this leads to martial dissatisfaction.
(Behrendt and Moritz, 2005) wrote that if a woman experienced type 1 and type 2 FGM
as a child, when they get married, the possibility of cutting them again is high as the hole that
was left for urination is too small for sexual intercourse, hence experiencing another
psychological trauma that can lead to depression.
Theme 2: Infringement of Human Rights
(Dustin and Davis, 2007), wrote that FGM is a children’s issue as well as women’s right
issue as this practice invades the rights of individual’s bodily integrity and being safe from harm.
(Dustin and Davis, 2005) further wrote that many countries that have passed laws in regards to
FGM base their laws on Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Article 37a

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of the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNICEF) which state that no one
should be subject to torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
(Pacho ,2015) wrote that FGM is a practice that is acknowledged as harmful which
breaches many basic rights for girls and women and that it is stated in Article 25 of the Universal
declaration of Human Rights that every individual has a right to a standard of living which is
acceptable for their health and well-being. In regards to this article, FGM violates the right of
health and bodily integrity of women and girls. Furthermore, (Pocho 2015) wrote that FGM was
widely recognised as being a harmful practice and in 2003; the African union protocol to the
Africa charter on Human Rights of the Rights of Women condemned this practice as harmful
which negatively affects the human rights of women.
(Hussien, 2010) argues that, this practice violates women’s right and manifests deeply
rooted discriminatory gender inequalities. This practice is seen as the un-talked about
continuation of a patriarchal cultural practice that controls women’s sexual behaviours. (Kalev,
2004) writes that, research carried out from practicing communities’ shows that the underlying
reason for FGM is the suppression and control of female sexuality. The explanation of FGM at
times seems to be grounded in the social desires of ending or reducing sexual feelings or arousal
in women in that they will be less likely to engage in pre-marital sexual relationship or adultery.
So, reducing the woman’s sexual activity hinders the woman’s right to a healthy sexual life yet
they have the absolute right to enjoy their sexual life and it is the society’s duty to this right.
(Pacho, 2015) wrote that the alleged reasons for performing FGM is that for men to have
more sexual pleasures, hence girls and women end up being treated simply as objects and this
undermines their integral human dignity which also conflicts with Kant’s “kingdom of end”
which is people must never be treated for others’ selfish ends. (Otoo et al, 2011) wrote that in

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communities where FGM is practiced, it is often linked to early and forced marriages where girls
from ages 10-15 years that have undergone the procedure are considered as women therefore
mature and ripe for marriage.
(Memon, 2014), states that the ancient practice defines the identity of a woman in
cultures where it is practiced. FGM is carried out for a range of social and cultural reasons. (El-
Defrawi et al 2001) notes that this tradition is a perpetuation criteria for marriageability. Since
women play a key role in socialising children, they except to see their daughters cut in order for
them to gain a marriageability status. Mothers believe that if their daughters do not go through
FGM, they will not find husbands and will not culturally be accepted in their society. (Costello et
al 2015) states that, FGM deeply rooted in cultural values relating to gender, identity,
beautification, and inclusion. It is entwined with family honour, virginity, purity, and child
bearing virtues for girls and women. (Kalev, 2004) Mothers believe that FGM is not malice or
violence as outsiders might assume. Parents decide to subject their daughters to FGM in the
belief that it is in their daughters’ best interest and that the benefits outweigh the risks. Thus, this
does not articulate the best interest of the child in the convention of the Rights of the Child.

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Chapter 3: Research Methodology
3.0 Overview
The main objective of this chapter is to analyze the various steps that enable the
researcher to effectively organize his or her research. The research aims to understand if the
community development workers are equipped to work with the mothers who believe that the
factor of female genital mutilation is culturally important. In this respect, the research uses the
research philosophy of positivism, design, strategy, sampling size, data collection and data
analysis techniques.
3.1 Research Outline
For the effective execution of the research, the positivist philosophy is used. In this
regard, the deductive approach will be used which tries to analyze the data which has been
gathered. In accordance with the research study, several community development workers have
been interviewed who were chosen with the help of random probability sampling. The primary
data gathered from such interviews and from the literature review has been analyzed in a
qualitative manner.
3.2 Research Philosophy
The research will employ the research philosophy of positivism. In the words of
Silverman (2016), the positivism research philosophy includes the description and observation
for the event under research investigation from the point of view of the research aim and research
objective. This philosophy also aids the researcher to undertake and facilitate the utilization of
statistical analysis. This will help the researcher to understand if the community development

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workers are equipped to work with the mothers who believe that the factor of female genital
mutilation is culturally important.
3.3 Research Approach
The research approach that will be utilized in this research study is that of deductive
approach. Deductive approach involved the deduction of observations and facts from the various
existing theories and concepts. In other words, deductive approach eliminates or at least reduces
the probability of developing any incorrect observations as the researcher has the chance to refer
to the already proven and existing concepts and theories (Merriam and Grenier 2019).
3.4 Research Design
The descriptive research design shall be employed in this research study. Descriptive
research design involves the factors of both exploratory and explanatory research design. The
exploratory research design includes the aspect of exploring the different factors that contribute
to the occurrence of a particular event (Taylor, Bogdan and DeVault 2015). On the other hand,
explanatory research design seeks to explain the causes and the reasons for the occurrence of a
particular incident.
3.5 Research Strategy
The research includes the strategy of interview. In this respect, the study under
investigation will interview several people belonging to the target population in order to
understand the field in a better manner (Smith 2015). The community development workers were
interviewed with the help of a semi structured interview in order to analyze if they equipped to
work with the mothers who believe that the factor of female genital mutilation is culturally
important.

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3.6 Sampling technique and sample size
The research study under investigation has utilized the sampling technique of random
probability. The community development workers were chosen in a random manner so that every
individual of the community had the opportunity to be included within the research study.
3.7 Data Collection Process
There are toe different types of data collection process, such as the primary process and
the secondary process. The primary data collection process includes the collection of information
by the research itself in a firsthand manner (Palinkas et al. 2015). Secondary data refers to the
information which is gained from the different sources of literature such as those of documents,
books and articles. This research study mainly includes the primary source of data collection.
3.8 Data analysis technique
The data gathered in the course of the research study shall be analyzed with the aid of
either qualitative technique or quantitative technique. In this research study, there is the
qualitative analysis of the data which has been gathered from the primary sources with the help
of interviews (Palinkas et al. 2015). Moreover, the information from the literature has also been
analyzed in order to understand if the community development workers are equipped to work
with the mothers who believe that the factor of female genital mutilation is culturally important.
3.9 Ethical Consideration
For the effective execution of a particular research study, it is important that certain
ethical considerations need to be taken care of. For instance, one of the primary ethical
consideration to be followed is that of maintaining the anonymity of the people who were

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interviewed in the course of the research (Taylor, Bogdan and DeVault 2015). It is important that
their identity should not be disclosed without their prior permission.
3.10 Accessibility Issues
Any research study includes certain issues which prevents the research from being perfect
in nature. In the course of this research, the main constraint that was faced was with regard to the
monetary resources and the limited time that was provided.
3.11 Summary
Thus, in this chapter, it can be summarized that this chapter has summed up the different
methods that has been taken up by the researcher for completing the research work successfully.

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Chapter 4: Data Findings and Analysis
4.0 Overview
This chapter provides as in depth analysis of the problem in question. The main aim of
the research is to determine if the community development workers are well equipped to work
with those mothers who believe that female genital mutilation is culturally important for their
daughter sand for the other daughters of the society. In this context, the chapter looks in to the
various interviews that were conducted by the researcher. The researcher designed semi
structured interviews whereby the different candidates of the target population consisting of the
community development workers were interviewed. Their responses were taken in to account
and they were analyzed from the point of view of the data that was gathered from the different
sources of literature review that was conducted earlier in the research study under investigation.
In this sense, the chapter tries to understand the various reasons behind the mindset of the people
who believe in the idea of female genital mutilation.
4.1 Data Findings and Analysis
In this research study under investigation, the target population that was interviewed was
the community development workers in the context of the United Kingdom who had to work in
societies where female genital mutilation is rampant in nature. In this context, five community
development workers were chosen with the help of random probability sampling. This process
provided an opportunity to all the workers of the community to be equally represented in the
research study. They were certain questions in the form of semi structured interviews to which
they had to provide certain answers.

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All the chosen participants were asked the question if they were aware about the concept
of female genital mutilation. Among the five respondents, four of them states yes, they were
aware while one of them was vaguely aware about the concept. This particular community
development worker knew about the science behind the procedure of female genital mutilation
but the participant was unaware about the various health and psychological issues that impact the
person who had to undergo this surgery.
The next question that was asked to them was that from where they learnt about the
concept of female genital mutilation. Two of them stated that they had first come across the idea
of female genital mutilation in their days in college where they learnt about this social evil from
their text books. They knew that this activity was well prevalent in the under developed countries
of the world but they were not aware about the fact that it was also in existence in the developed
countries of the western hemisphere such as that of the United Kingdom (Abdulcadir et al.
2017). One of the respondents got to know about the idea of female genital mutilation from her
friend who was subjected to this social evil where she had to undergo the surgery during her
childhood days (Zurynski et al. 2015). The remaining two of the respondents were made aware
about female genital mutilation in their orientation camp where their supervisor explained to
them in detail about the idea of female genital mutilation and how to undertake several important
measure to make the other people in the society aware about the existence of the activity
(McChesney 2015).
The community development workers were asked the question if they thought that the
procedure of female genital mutilation is necessary in the society. All of them responded that this
procedure was heinous in nature and that it should not be in existence in the society because of
its traumatizing nature on the people who were subjected to it (Hodes et al. 2016). The chosen

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participants of the community development workers were of the idea that the female of the
society who were forced or compelled or even those who voluntarily underwent the surgery,
should be made aware about its adverse impact, thereby ensuring that the social practice is
eliminated from the society in a gradual but persistent manner (Hussain and Rymer 2017).
Many of the people who advocate for the prevalence of procedure of female genital
mutilation is necessary in the society believe that this practice is culturally important for the
society. This follows from the fact that the people are highly superstitious in nature. The first
evidence of the occurrence of procedure of female genital mutilation is necessary in the society
was observed in the continent of Africa where the different tribes believed that procedure of
female genital mutilation is necessary in the society is important for the maintenance of their
culture (Creighton et al. 2016). In the event of globalization and the increase in the action of
migration, soon people from all over the world settled in different places of the globe. However,
they did not let go of their traditions and customs and held on to them. Moreover, the tribal
members usually believe in maintaining the homogeneity of their tribe due to which they do not
allow outsiders to inter mix with them, in the fear that they would not understand their traditions
and customs (Johnsdotter et al. 2017). All of these factors combined together to ensure that the
culture of the people are maintained which in turn, lead to the preponderance of the existence of
procedure of female genital mutilation is necessary in the society, even in the continent of
Europe.
The main aim of the research was to find out and determine if the community
development workers are well equipped to work with the mothers who believe that the factor of
female genital mutilation is culturally important. In this context, they were required to work very
closely with the community of people within which the idea of female genital mutilation is in

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existence. In their course of work, the chosen participants of the community development
workers revealed that the idea of female genital mutilation is quite ingrained within the mindset
of the mothers of such society (Efferson et al. 2015). This is important to understand because
female genital mutilation usually occurs in the early childhood days of the girl child. During this
time, they are too young to understand what is happening to them. It is their parents who decide
on their course of action in their life till the children grow up and take decisions for them. As a
result, it is observed that the permission that their girl child would be subjected to genital
mutilation, is usually given by the parents, more importantly by the mothers of such children (De
Schrijver, Leye and Merckx 2016). The fathers are less involved in this situation as they are not
much aware about the procedure or the significance of the practice and therefore, they do not
play an important role in this sphere. It is the mothers who are important in this context. This is
so because when the mothers themselves were younger, they were subjected to the practice of
genital mutilation (Baillot et al. 2018). It did affect them but they took it is as a sign of fate as a
result of their gender orientation. Thus, in consequence, they want to subject their own daughters
to the same fate, believing that it is necessary as a result of their gender. The mothers are of the
idea that unless their daughters are made to undergo genital mutilation, the said daughters would
not have a bright future or a married life (Gangoli et al. 2018). They therefore, saw the necessity
of the prevalence of this action in respect of a better future for their children.
These factors have been reiterated in the sources which have been looked in to in
the literature review that was conducted earlier in the research study. In the words of Costello et
al. (2013), the idea of female genital mutilation is believed to be in the interest of the young girl
child and this belief is held especially by the own family members of the concerned girl child.
However, the human rights activists all across the globe belief that the activity of female genital

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mutilation is a social evil and it severely affects the psychological set up of the concerned
individual (Mpinga et al. 2016). The girl children who were forced or compelled to undergo this
surgery were observed to be subjected to frequent mood swings whereby they were always
frustrated or depressed as a result of their genitals being mutilated. Moreover, the concerned
women were observed to be subjected to chronic anxiety attacks and panic attacks. A great harm
was done to their body at such an early age (González-Timoneda et al. 2018). Therefore, the
existence of such psychological problems is quite common and expected. It affects the very
existence of the concerned girl children and often results in their cognition changes (Stoklosa and
Nour 2018). They lose all faith and trust in themselves and always regard their own self to be
incompetent in nature.
In the year of 2008, the World Health Organization reported that there may be an
immediate psychological trauma that is caused after the procedure that stems from the pain,
shock and physical force used when performing female genital mutilation. In the long term, this
may cause Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and memory loss.
(Cappon 2015) stated that, a study in African communities that practiced female genital
mutilation in Bristol found that women who had undergone the procedure had the same level of
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as those who suffered early childhood abuse. According to
Akinsulure-Smith and Chu (2017), women that have undergone female genital mutilation may
also suffer chronic pain syndrome and like any other causes of chronic pain, there can be an
increased risk of depressed mood resulting into reduced social functioning, feelings of
worthlessness, guilt, and suicidal ideation.
The practice of female genital mutilation not only affects the psychological being of the
concerned women in question all around the world, but it also severely undermines the human

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rights of the women who are subjected to this social evil (Abdulcadir, Say and Pallitto 2017).
After the establishment of the United Nations Organizations, there was an attempt on the part of
the world leaders to ensure that all the individuals of the world, would be guaranteed their rights
and freedom without any discrimination based on their race, religion, gender or place of birth.
This meant that a man and a woman had equal rights with respect to each other, in terms of
determining their individual self (Puppo 2017). They had the sovereign authority over their own
body and no one had the right to infringe upon this freedom which is granted and guaranteed to
them. Akinsulure-Smith and Chu (2017), opined that female genital mutilation is an issue of the
children as well as women’s right issue as this practice invades the rights of individual’s bodily
integrity and being safe from harm. Dustin and Davis (2005) further stated that many countries
that have passed laws in regards to female genital mutilation base their laws on Article 3 of the
European Convention on Human Rights and Article 37a of the United Nations Convention of the
Rights of the Child (UNICEF) which states that no one should be subject to torture or inhuman
or degrading treatment or punishment.
Thus, it can be seen that the people who are subjected to female genital mutilation are
affected quite adversely in their course of life over the years (Odukogbe et al. 2017). They do not
have anyone from their own society to find for them as it is the members of their own
community and their own family members who compel them to undergo the surgery. It depends
upon the different members of the community development to ensure the protection and
safeguard of the concerned women.
4.3 Summary
To summarize, it can be noted that this chapter talks about the various reasons which
leads to female genital mutilation. It provides a detailed analysis to understand if the community

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development workers are well equipped to work with the mothers who believe that female
genital mutilation is culturally important for the society. It has been found out that they are
indeed equipped to work well in their sphere of activity.
Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendation
To conclude, it is observed that the aspect of female genital mutilation is in prevalence in
the modern world. Female genital mutilation is defined to the action of severely harming the
genitals of a women based on several myths and superstitious. The need for such female genital
mutilation is considered to be non-medical in nature as there is no logical requirement for under
taking this course of action. This heinous activity was prevalent in the regions of Africa and the
other under developed countries of the world where women has always enjoyed a low status and
importance in the society. Moreover, this procedure is not at all beneficial for the health of the
different girls and women around the world as it otherwise believed by the people who
encourage the women to undergo this surgery. In this context, the different organizations around
the world who are engaged with the maintenance of the human rights of the people, have widely
condemned this action of The need for such female genital mutilation is considered to be non-
medical in nature as there is no logical requirement for under taking this course of action.. They
believe that it severely restricts the fundamental right of the people to take their own life choices.
This flows from the fact the women are encouraged or compelled to undergo genital mutilation
during the early years of their lives. During this age, the little children are unable to voice their
protests in an effective manner or most of the times, they are unable to understand as to what is
happening with them until it is too late to take any constructive actions. Moreover, female genital
mutilation leads to massive bleeding among such concerned women which results in the
deterioration of their health and even leads to their death in certain cases. As a result, there is a

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need o the part of the community to ensure that their women are not subjected to this heinous
crime of female genital mutilation.
One of the recommendations that is provided in order to prevent that activity of female
genital mutilation is that of making their parents understand as to the adverse effects of the
activity. Female genital mutilation results in the deterioration of the health of the women under
question. They cannot take part in any sexual activity without facing severe pain (Hodes and
Creighton 2017). Moreover, another health problem that is faced by such women is that their
body can get infected from the use of the surgical tools which might not have been sterilized
before proceeding with the surgery. This results in severe physical problems for those women
who had to undergo female genital mutilation (Kahn 2016). If the parents are made aware of
these consequences, then there might be a chance that they will prevent their daughters from
having to undergo the need for such a heinous surgery. They can act as the safe guards from
other pressures from the society while protecting their own daughters and loved ones.
Another recommendation that can be provided with regard to the prevention of female
genital mutilation is that there is a need on the part of the different governing agencies to
formulate stringent policies and measures for the protection of their women (Abdulcadir,
Rodriguez and Say 2015). For instance, if the local bodies of a particular region under take the
responsibility of imposing strict punishment of the people who pressurized the other people to
undergo female genital mutilation, then it will act a source of dissuasion for them. For example,
the governing body of a place can station certain volunteers who will inform the police when a
particular group of people are forcing a minor girl child to undergo female genital mutilation
(Pashaei et al. 2016). The police body then take up the initiative of imposing a fine or a penalty
on the group of offenders for their crime. The police can also provide a considerable jail time for

23FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION
the offenders if they are found to be committing the crime in a repeated manner. This can act as a
good source of prevention for female genital mutilation.
All these recommendations aim to prevent the continuance of this activity in any society
around the world. Female genital mutilation is not only physically harmful but it severely affects
the psychology of the person under context (Dawson et al. 2017). The woman in question loses
all sense of self respect and dignity when she is unable to voice her opinions and protest against
the crime. A person is the sole owner of his or her own body, irrespective of the gender. As such,
any course of action which is personal in nature, requires the prior permission of the person
under question (Parikh, Saruchera and Liao 2018). In this sense, before pressurizing a female to
undergo female genital mutilation, there is a need on the part of the community to ensure that
they have the prior approval of the woman. However, it is best that this activity is abolished from
all across the globe in order to ensure the maintenance of dignity and integrity of the female
gender.
Future Scope of Action
This research study is important in its field of study as it deals with an important issue
which includes nearly half the population of the world. The various state leaders and the other
non-governmental organizations can draw inspiration from this research study in order to
understand the work of the community development workers. They can also analyze the thought
process of the mothers who believe that female genital mutilation is culturally important. This
will help the community development workers to formulate a better process of communication
so that they can be effective in their persuasion. female genital mutilation needs to be eradicated
from all corners of the Earth and it depends on the responsible people of the community to

24FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION
ensure that everyone on the society is well informed about the adverse impact of female genital
mutilation.

25FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION
Chapter 5: Research Log
I was required to provide an outline of my research in the earlier classes. The issue of
female genital mutilation is quite a complex issue and it requires the in depth understanding of
the nature of the society where it is still prevalent. I was not sure if I would be able to do justify
to the topic but I wanted to take this topic as my dissertation proposal as it is one of the most
intriguing issue of the contemporary society. I was not sure from where to start my proposal so I
decided to take it one step at a time. I first made an outline of my research topic in order to better
understand about the issue. Reading the various sources of literature helped me to develop the
research questions and objectives in a proper manner. I only had the idea of research aim in
mind. From reading the literature sources, I could develop my questionnaire which was
important for gathering the primary data from the chosen candidates. The candidates were
chosen with the help of random probability sampling so that every single individual had the
chance of being represented in the research study. I believe, I have been effective in developing
the research aim in an accurate manner and also have been able to link my research methodology
with the research aims and objectives. Moreover, the data has been analyzed with the aid of
qualitative analysis technique which provides a comprehensive picture about the issue and its
underpinnings. I also believe that I used effort for the format of my report to make it clear and
effectively structured also tried my best to show my understanding of my topic.

26FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION
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female genital mutilation: an analysis. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics &
Gynaecology, 122(3), pp.294-303.
Abdulcadir, J., Say, L. and Pallitto, C., 2017. What do we know about assessing healthcare
students and professionals’ knowledge, attitude and practice regarding female genital mutilation?
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torture. Journal of immigrant and minority health, 19(3), pp.769-773.
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workers and health care professionals. Risk management and healthcare policy, 8, p.225.

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Creighton, S.M., Dear, J., de Campos, C., Williams, L. and Hodes, D., 2016. Multidisciplinary
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to inform education, training and supportive work environments for midwives involved in the
care of women with female genital mutilation: A review of global experience. Midwifery, 31(1),
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Appendices:
Appendix 1: Interview Schedule
1. Are you aware of the concept of female genital mutilation?
2. From where did you get to learn about this concept?
3. Do you believe that the procedure of female genital mutilation is necessary in the society?
4. Do you think that female genital mutilation is culturally important for the society?
5. Are you supportive of the mothers who want to subject their daughter to female genital
mutilation?

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Appendix 2: Four types of female genital mutilation
Source: (End FGM, 2019)

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