Learning Objectives: CARE-Ethiopia is currently involved in multi-country operations research to test interventions to help communities move towards eliminating FGC (or FGM). Anti-FGC and other reproductive health activities are being integrated into a primary health care program. CARE-Ethiopia has conducted qualitative research to understand how and why FGC occurs in the Afar community and a quantitative baseline survey of knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices. Both studies show that essentially no Afar girl can escape cutting. Although there are several important reasons for the practice of FGC, the research gives clues that issues relating to sexuality may lie at the heart of all reasons. The presentation will focus on exploratory research findings on sexuality and FGC. At the end of the presentation participants will: 1. Be familiarized with CARE’s efforts to eliminate FGC in several Afar communities; 2. Describe their FGC practices. 3. Understand deeply-rooted community views on FGC, why the practice continues; and why we suspect a critical reason for the continuation of FGC is based in the hidden silence surrounding sexuality. 4. Describe how qualitative research methods, using participatory techniques, have been applied to learn about this topic. 5. List preliminary findings of the research to define the relationship between FGC and sexuality. Outcomes: 1. Reflections and lessons learned in researching sexuality and FGC; 2. Ideas and strategies to tackle FGC among the Afar; 3. Information to substantiate the need for individuals, NGOs, and donors to support and fund activities to eliminate FGC.
Keywords: Female Genital Mutilation, Sexual Behavior
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.