Sudan: Summary Of The Impact Of Research On Fgm - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

PSYCHO-SOCIO-SEXUAL CONSEQUENCES & ATTITUDE CHANGE IN KHARTOUM NORTH & EAST NILE PROVINCES

BY DR. AMNA A.R. HASSAN, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, SUDAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON TRADITIONAL PRACTICES (SNCTP), P.O. Box 10418, Khartoum, SUDAN

"This study investigates the impact of FGM on women and family health. A further aim is is to provide scientific research to use in the educational and awareness programs to eradicate this harmful traditional practice. Various efforts have been made to eradicate this harmful practice in Sudan for many decades. Yet, these efforts were devoid of the proper scientific and convincing evidence...

IMPORTANT FINDINGS OF THE RESEARCH ARE:

The factors which contribute to the continuation of FGM are related to faulty socialization and the absence of a scientific approach and legal information about the topic of the study... The practice is concentrated in the semi-urban and rural areas... There is a significant statistical relationship which indicates the reduction of the practice at higher educational levels... There is also a marked transformation from infibulation to the so-called 'Sunna.'

Apparently there is a negative relationship between FGM and female performance in school, at work and in domestic affairs. The investigation also reflected that the girl-child's opinions, or decisions are not listened to, or respected in most of the Sudanese family culture. Male pupils' attitude is still negative: (46.1 %) prefer the continuation of the practice while (11 %) of the female pupils do...

Regarding knowledge about the function of the female external genital organs, (33.7%) reflected sufficient knowledge. (51.2%) have limited information, (15.1%) have no information...

(91.4%) of newly married females showed negative experiences in sexual life while (82.2%) of them reflect continuous negative desire towards sexual intercourse with their husbands. (74%) of their husbands reacted, aggressively, complaining about the negative attitudes of their wives during intercourse due to acute health complications resulting from FGM.

Regarding attitude change, (72.7%) of the sample agreed to continue the so-called 'Sunna' Type while (27.3%) support infibulation. This result reflects gradual steps towards future social change... Regarding the attitude to complete eradication, (84.2%) of the total sample agreed to eradicate FGM while (15.8%) rejected this; (91.3%) female pupils, (73.9%) male pupils, (75.7%) mothers and (86.6%) fathers showed positive responses to eradication...

Another problem is that the health, education and finance institutions are not conducting the necessary research on the economic expenditures involved in the treatment of the victims of this tradition and the loss of human resources (child and mother mortality).

FROM THE CONCLUSION:

SNCTP's future actions will be focused on the proper sensitization of youth, fathers, religious leaders and legislators in order to put great pressure on the mothers, grandmothers and health workers who perform the practice. Fortunately, SNCTP, UNICEF, UNFPA, Babiker Badri Scientific Association, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Education have made considerable efforts to include it in the education curricula. It is becoming a reality in the Basic and Secondary Education in the Sudan since the academic year 2000-2001. Teachers in both formal and informal education should implement it. Above all legislation should be given top priority now.

SNCTP will be following the implementation of the recommendations of this study with all the concerned partners: Government, NGOs, private sector and networking groups at all levels (urban rural) national and regional."

COPYRIGHT 2001 Women's International Network
COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group