Challenges and Shifts: Tackling Deep-Rooted FGM Practices in Ethiopia's Somali Region

A study by GAGE researchers highlights the persistence of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Ethiopia's Somali region, driven by deep-rooted cultural and religious norms, with emerging trends towards medicalization and partial harm reduction, though complete eradication remains challenging. The research emphasizes the need for community-wide, gender-sensitive interventions to address these deeply entrenched practices.

A recent study by researchers from the Gender and Adolescence: Global Evidence (GAGE) program, in collaboration with Addis Ababa University and Jijiga University, delves into the persistent practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Ethiopia's Somali region. Despite international efforts and national laws aimed at eradicating FGM, the practice remains almost universal in this region, particularly the severe form known as infibulation. The research, which gathered data from over 1,000 adolescents and their caregivers, reveals the complex cultural, religious, and social factors that sustain FGM, even as some shifts towards less invasive forms are beginning to emerge.

Deep-Rooted Cultural and Religious Norms

FGM in the Somali region is deeply entrenched, with nearly all girls expected to undergo the procedure before the age of 15. The study found that infibulation, which involves the narrowing of the vaginal opening through cutting and repositioning the labia, is almost universal. This practice is primarily driven by the belief that it is a cultural and religious necessity, essential for a girl's social acceptance and marriageability. The researchers discovered that while infibulation is seen as a cultural requirement by many, there is a growing awareness, especially among religious leaders, that the traditional form of the procedure is not mandated by Islam. Instead, these leaders have begun advocating for "partial" infibulation, which they argue is a lesser evil and carries fewer health risks.

Rural Communities and Social Pressures

Despite these efforts to reduce the severity of FGM, the practice remains widespread, particularly in rural areas where traditional infibulation is still the norm. The study reveals that families continue to adhere to this practice because of the severe social consequences associated with not undergoing FGM. Girls who are not circumcised face community gossip, social ostracism, and are deemed ineligible for marriage, a crucial factor in a society where marriage is central to a girl's identity and future. Mothers, who are often the primary decision-makers regarding FGM, also face social pressure to ensure their daughters undergo the procedure, as their own status within the community can be diminished if they fail to comply with these deeply rooted norms.

Medicalization: A Double-Edged Sword

One of the more concerning trends uncovered by the research is the emerging medicalization of FGM. Some families, particularly in more central communities, are now opting to have the procedure performed by healthcare professionals in medical settings. This shift is partly motivated by a desire to reduce the health risks associated with traditional FGM, such as infection, excessive bleeding, and complications during childbirth. However, the medicalization of FGM is also seen as problematic by some, as it may entrench the practice further by making it more socially acceptable and accessible, rather than working towards its elimination.

Gender Norms and Perceptions of FGM

The study highlights the significant role that gender norms play in sustaining FGM in the Somali region. While both men and women support the practice, their reasons differ. For women and girls, FGM is primarily about achieving social acceptance and maintaining their dignity within the community. It is seen as a rite of passage that marks their transition to adulthood and ensures their place within the social fabric. On the other hand, men, particularly younger men and boys, view FGM as essential for ensuring a girl's sexual purity and suitability for marriage. The research suggests that boys and young men are often more insistent on traditional infibulation, despite the efforts of some fathers and religious leaders to advocate for less severe forms of the practice.

Rethinking Intervention Strategies

Given the deeply entrenched nature of FGM in the Somali region, the study calls for a rethinking of intervention strategies. Traditional approaches that focus on individual empowerment and the creation of "champions of change" may not be sufficient in this context, where FGM is tied to multiple intersecting norms, including religious beliefs, cultural identity, and notions of femininity and marriageability. Instead, the researchers suggest that interventions should prioritize community-wide engagement and address the underlying gender norms that perpetuate FGM. This may involve working with traditional cutters and other influential figures within the community to shift perceptions and practices gradually. The study also acknowledges that in the short term, harm reduction strategies, such as promoting less invasive forms of FGM, may be necessary to protect girls' health while longer-term efforts to eliminate the practice entirely continue.

The research underscores the challenges of eradicating FGM in Ethiopia's Somali region, where the practice is deeply embedded in the community's identity. While there are signs of progress, with some shifts towards less severe forms of FGM and the involvement of healthcare professionals in the procedure, the road to total elimination remains long and complex. The study emphasizes the need for nuanced, context-specific approaches that consider the deeply rooted cultural, religious, and social factors that sustain FGM, and the importance of engaging entire communities in the effort to bring about meaningful change.