Main Article Content
Female Genital Cutting in Contemporary Eritrea: Determinants, Future Prospects, and Strategies for Eradication
Abstract
The observation that about 90% of Eritrean women were circumcised in
2002 increased interest to understand the trends, determinants, and
consequences of female genital cutting (FGC). The study used data from
the 2002 EDHS and the 2003 Female Genital Mutilation Survey to
consider factors that influence the likelihood that women would
circumcise their daughter, and attitudes toward this practice. Findings
suggest that although cohort-specific prevalence of genital cutting is
lower among younger cohorts of women than among older ones, the
practice remains nearly universal, particularly in regions or ethnic
groups where the most severe form (infibulation) is practiced. Women’s
education, urban residence, and household economic status have
significant negative impact on circumcising a daughter and attitudes
toward FGC continuation, suggesting that modernization has influence
on FGC. The findings that education negatively affects attitudes toward
FGC suggest that the impact of education could also be through its
influence on the social convention. Increased access to higher education
and economic opportunities, and urban residence would help lower
support for the practice and hence its eradication. Community-based
educational campaigns publicizing the risks of female genital cutting
would also be helpful.
2002 increased interest to understand the trends, determinants, and
consequences of female genital cutting (FGC). The study used data from
the 2002 EDHS and the 2003 Female Genital Mutilation Survey to
consider factors that influence the likelihood that women would
circumcise their daughter, and attitudes toward this practice. Findings
suggest that although cohort-specific prevalence of genital cutting is
lower among younger cohorts of women than among older ones, the
practice remains nearly universal, particularly in regions or ethnic
groups where the most severe form (infibulation) is practiced. Women’s
education, urban residence, and household economic status have
significant negative impact on circumcising a daughter and attitudes
toward FGC continuation, suggesting that modernization has influence
on FGC. The findings that education negatively affects attitudes toward
FGC suggest that the impact of education could also be through its
influence on the social convention. Increased access to higher education
and economic opportunities, and urban residence would help lower
support for the practice and hence its eradication. Community-based
educational campaigns publicizing the risks of female genital cutting
would also be helpful.
