The Social Dimension Of Female Genital Cutting (fgc) The Case Of Harari

This study is concerned with female genital cutting (FGC) which describes all proceduresrnthat are related to cutting the female genitalia because of non-therapeutic reasons. Four typesrnof FGC can be distinguished, of which “sunna”, the removal of the clitoris, is the “lightest”rnone, whereas in the case of infibulation most of the female genitals are removed and the leftoverrnsewn closed afterwards.rnFGC is mainly practiced in 28 African countries, but also appearing in Europe, North-rnAmerica and Australia due to migration. An estimated 140 million girls and women arernexpected to have undergone one of the 4 types of FGC worldwide. About 3 million girls are atrnrisk to experience female circumcision every year. The practice of FGC is a threat to humans’rnand hence women’s rights and furthermore one expression of continued gender inequality andrnthe superiority of men. It is practiced for decades and even many centuries, is a cross-culturalrnas well as cross-religious issue.rnHarar is of main interest within this study paper, because of its high prevalence of the mostrnsevere type of FGC, infibulation. In Ethiopian context, it is the fourth highest prevalence raternand occurrence of FGC in general is widely spread. What did it make being practiced sornfrequently, which sources are cited to justify its continuance?rnFor generating answers on these questions, a survey has been conducted among 177 womenrnand men. Since the survey only works as supplement, the data collection concentrated onrnqualitative sources like in-depth interviews, focus group discussions (FGD) and observation.rnWomen who underwent female circumcision, but also men have been interviewed to get tornknow the underlying reasons to practice and maintain FGC, the most common complicationsrnwhich resulted from the practice and the attitudes regarding its continuance.rnThe outcome of the study shows that the majority of the Hararis are nowadays aware aboutrnthe complications of FGC which is owed to a common effort of community and religiousrnleaders and government offices to enlighten the people, to create awareness.rnThe major reasons for the practice have been the reduction of females’ sexual feelings andrnenjoyments and the fear of offspring out of wedlock. Although infibulation and its side effectsrnon women’s health are known and hence a shift to “sunna” was advocated, especially elderly women are still supporting at least this kind of FGC. In contrary, the young generation is no longer willing to accept a practice which brought so much harm on the affected girls and women solely because they have natural feelings. Hence, since FGC is also not obligatory by Islam as many young people know, they have been sure not to practice female circumcision on their daughters in the future

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