Tradition and Rights: Female Genital Cutting in West Africa

This publication shares insights gained from a Plan International study conducted in 2005 into the social and cultural determinants of female genital cutting (FGC) in Mali, Niger, Guinea, and Sierra Leone. Experiences of working in communities to encourage FGC abandonment has taught Plan that it is important to respect the communities with whom they work and to listen to their views and opinions. According to Plan, changes of societal norms and behaviours have to come from within communities and effecting such changes requires a constructive dialogue, which is only possible if the motives and justifications for female genital cutting in the different social and cultural contexts is understood.

According to the publication, the practice of female genital cutting is changing with time. This adds another level of complexity to efforts to promote its abandonment. In some communities, the practice has sparked an inter-generational conflict. The young are pressing for social change while the older generation is trying to hold on to traditions. Education campaigns have succeeded in breaking the silence on the topic of female genital cutting and have increased public knowledge about the potential hazards of excision. However, in some places, this has led to an increasing medicalisation of the practice. In other places, the enforcement of laws against female genital cutting has resulted in the practice moving underground.

Laws against excision strengthen the efforts to abandon the practice at community level by giving local campaigners more legitimacy in their work and by protecting non-excised girls and their families against social pressure. They show clearly that the abandonment of excision is a national objective and not an initiative of foreigners, and they prevent the public promotion of excision in the media. Legislation, however, is not sufficient. Several countries in Africa have passed laws that are ineffective because they are neither communicated nor enforced.

The report says that media can become allies or foes in the anti-excision effort. Their constructive engagement in the issue needs to be facilitated, for instance through cooperation with schools of journalism, or through special information and education sessions for journalists. The discussion of female genital cutting in the media can be counterproductive if the messages that are transmitted are insufficient, incoherent, insensitive, or not appropriate to the audience. Journalists may communicate information that causes offence because they did not consider the context of the communities they were addressing. Threatening messages are more likely to generate opposition than reflection.

The report states that the first step in promoting the abandonment of the practice of excision is to break the silence on the subject, especially in communities where excision is surrounded with many taboos. The subject has to be introduced in an acceptable language and in an appropriate venue to allow people to start exchanging views. An acceptable and frequently used door opener is to start a discussion about the health risks and long-term reproductive health complications of excision. This information is usually of interest to all community members. It is, however, important not to become stuck in the discussion at this point.

The publication points out that the engagement of foreign anti-excision activists has often done more harm than good. In some communities it has created the prejudice that the abandonment of excision is a "project of white people", an attempt to destroy African culture. Plan points out that communities are the owners of their own development. They set the pace and determine the direction and the decision to abandon excision cannot be forced upon them. The role of the State and of international organisations is to create an environment to support behavioural change and the realisation of human rights.

Plan has also found that in order to be effective, efforts to promote the abandonment of excision have to be integrated into a development programme that is consistent with the needs and demands articulated by the community. This can be an education programme, a micro-finance programme, a health programme or any other programme that is seen as a priority. Development organisations that are intent on "educating" villagers about how they are endangering the lives of their daughters are neither appreciated nor effective. People need the space to exchange ideas and to reach their own conclusions. Participating in the process of analysis and problem solving is an essential step towards sustained change of behaviour.

The report shares information about several case studies about how dialogue has been encouraged. In one region of Mali, the prejudices against non-excised women were very strong. Communities believed that non-excised women were unable to control their sexuality and that their clitoris grew to an enormous size. A local organisation collected these myths, and then started to discuss them in community meetings. The process allowed communities to question their traditional beliefs based on their own observation and knowledge. It led to a gradual change in attitude towards non-excised women. In Guinea, the practice of excision is strongly associated with initiation ceremonies. These ceremonies are important for girls and women. They affirm their value and their role in society, and they are associated with many positive aspects of traditional teaching. Some local groups worked successfully with communities in developing excision-free initiation ceremonies.

The report also points out that most organisations working for the abandonment of excision at community level address opinion leaders, chiefs, religious leaders, and other key personalities. Clearly, the commitment of these authorities is key in achieving the desired behavioural changes. However, before investing in the relationship with these leaders, their own opinions, and attitudes must be explored. They are often members of the traditional establishment, and they may be firm supporters of the practice of excision.

The report further adds that advocacy lends a voice to those who have little opportunity to claim their rights, including the girls and women in rural West Africa who are most affected by the issue of excision. It brings the issue to the attention of those who are able to make a difference. Advocacy has to start at the village level and reach the highest international fora. Many decision makers at the national and international level overlook the practice or have only vague ideas about it. Advocacy, however, should not be limited to just drawing attention to the issue. It has to provide correct and locally relevant information and suggest appropriate areas of action.

The report concludes that based on research and Plan’s experiences in West Africa, the organisation believes that continued constructive dialogue with communities will accelerate the pace at which communities change their norms and behaviours, and take collective decisions to abandon the practice of female genital cutting.