Underlying Reasons for the Persistence of Female Genital Mutilation

likely to have the practice stop in an immediate matter. However, addressing the Ngaribas may
not change the general attitudes towards the custom. From what was observed, the importance of
the social conventions was mainly pressured from previous generations. The man from Gallapo
village demonstrated it when explaining the conflict between his mother and him, about having
his daughters circumcised. Also Fatima’s experience and the consequences she suffered when
feeling the pressure by her grandmother to get married. Her goal in life was not to get married
and have children at a young age, even though it was a normal thing to do where she comes
from, as it is in most African communities. Fatima wanted to get an education and make her own
choices in life. In the context of underdevelopment the most vulnerable are often women and
children in rural areas where education and resources is not accessible, and in times of socioeconomic
change. The rural and urban poor often hold on to tradition as a survival mechanism 72 ,
which has then persisted by women being inferior to superstition and knowledge.
The stress for girls to get married at a young age is in my opinion one major issue to address
since it seems to be the main accomplishment from having the procedure done. Whatever reason,
perception or tradition given the justification of the act, they are all mechanisms that help
contribute and maintain the practice. But understanding the information about the underlying
reasons can help the understanding of what needs to be done in order to make the practice stop.
There are many theories suggesting the empowerment of women, and addressing the importance
of education for girls and women in Africa. The recent generation stand for changes in attitudes
and the circumstances for women around the world are improving because of awareness and
education. A change in attitudes and norms is not accomplished by laws and legislations alone.
There was recently an article in the Swedish newspaper DN 73 , about a women living with the
consequences of FGM in her everyday life in Kenya. Her story about her struggles has made the
front news page since it leads to a parliament vote on a new legislation forbidding the practice of
FGM. Her story took the issue of FGM into the public in Kenya as well as the government,
which before her statement was against the legislative proposal. Some men in the parliament
confessed of not knowing about what their mothers, wives, sisters or daughters had gone through
and that her story made them realize how great an issue FGM is. The change has to start from the
root of the understanding of the behavior towards FGM, and the awareness can change when
72 Dorkeeno, Cutting the Rose, p. 58
73 Dagens Nyheter 2011-­‐ 05-­‐27
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