F.I.G.H.T Site Map Website: https://cie404fgm.wordpress.com/ - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

F.I.G.H.T

Site Map Website:

https://cie404fgm.wordpress.com/ @FGMintheUSA

Presented by:

Elizabeth Bruce Clara Buie Amanda Blain Pritt Hector Vargas

What is F.I.G.H.T.?

Aim of F.I.G.H.T

To address issues associated with, and instances of, FGM/C within the United States.

Vision

To generate awareness among American society of the existence of FGM/C and to take action to eradicate this practice through community education and public awareness.

Mission

To foster change in regards to the eradication of the practice or FGM/C in the U.S.A.

Who is F.I.G.H.T.?

• Meet the F.I.G.H.T.ers
• Work began in Spring 2014
• Realization of how far behind the US is

What is FGM/C?

• Female Genital Mutilation or Cutting

Photo Source: http://creationoutreach.com

• WHO defines FGM/C as:

○ All procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons1

1Sanctuary for Families. (2013). Female Genital Mutilation In The United States: Protecting Girls and Women in the U.S. from FGM and Vacation Cutting. Retrieved from http:

//www.sanctuaryforfamilies.org/storage/sanctuary/documents/report_onfgm_w_cover.pdf

How does FGM occur?

• Traditional practitioners often perform the circumcision.1

○ In Sudan and Egypt, most rituals are carried out in a doctor’s office.1

• Most girls undergo the procedure without any anesthetic (even in Sudan and Egypt).1
• Over 90% of girls in all cases have undergone the procedure before they turn 15.1
• Most of the percentage of girls below 15 is concentrated before the girls turn 9.1
• Performed using some sort of blade or a knife.1
• Girls often do not know the circumcision will take place until the ritual has begun.2
• 1UNICEF. (2013). Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: A statistical overview and exploration of the dynamics of change. Received from

http://www.unicef.org/media/files/FGCM_Lo_res.pdf

2Sanctuary for Families. (2013). Female Genital Mutilation In The United States: Protecting Girls and Women in the U.S. from FGM and

Vacation Cutting. Retrieved from http://www.sanctuaryforfamilies.org/storage/sanctuary/documents/report_onfgm_w_cover.pdf

Theoretical Framework

• Social Convention Theory
• Social Capital Theory

Social Convention Theory

• Social conventions are seen in most of a population

when an individual in the population adopts an action because it seems personally beneficial to do so.1

• At the same time, every other member in the population

is also seeing the benefits and adopting the action as well.1

1Rescorla, M. (Spring 2011). Convention. In E.N. Zalta (ed.), The Stanford Encyclopedia of

• Philosophy. Retrieved from http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2011/entries/convention

Social Convention Theory cont’d based on [1]

[1]Mackie, G. & LeJeune, J. (2009). Social dynamics of abandonment of harmful practices: Anew look at the theory (Special Series on Social Norms and Harmful Practices, Innocenti Working Paper No. 2009-06). Florence, Italy: UNICEF Innocenti Research Center. Retrieved from http://www.unicef-irc.

• rg/publications/pdf/iwp_2009_06.pdf

Social Convention Theory cont’d based on [1]

[1]Mackie, G. & LeJeune, J. (2009). Social dynamics of abandonment of harmful practices: Anew look at the theory (Special Series on Social Norms and Harmful Practices, Innocenti Working Paper No. 2009-06). Florence, Italy: UNICEF Innocenti Research Center. Retrieved from http://www.unicef-irc.

• rg/publications/pdf/iwp_2009_06.pdf

Social Convention Theory cont’d based on [1]

[1]Mackie, G. & LeJeune, J. (2009). Social dynamics of abandonment of harmful practices: Anew look at the theory (Special Series on Social Norms and Harmful Practices, Innocenti Working Paper No. 2009-06). Florence, Italy: UNICEF Innocenti Research Center. Retrieved from http://www.unicef-irc.

• rg/publications/pdf/iwp_2009_06.pdf

Social Capital Theory

• Being circumcised serves as a signal to other circumcised women

that a girl or woman has been trained to respect the authority of her circumcised elders and is worthy of inclusion in their social network.1

• According to social capital theory, FGM facilitates the

accumulation of:1 ○ social capital by younger women ○

• f power and prestige by elder women

○

signals participation in a hierarchy of power.

1Social Science & Medicine. (2011). Dynamics of change in the practice of female genital cutting in Senegambia: testing predictions of social convention theory. Shell-Duncan,

Wander, Hernulund & Moreau. Retrieved from http://socialcapitalreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/dynamics-of-change-in-female-genital-cutting.pdf

Social Capital Theory cont’d

Sources:

Social Science & Medicine. (2011). Dynamics of change in the practice of female genital cutting in Senegambia: testing predictions of social convention theory. Shell-Duncan, Wander, Hernulund & Moreau. Retrieved from http://socialcapitalreview.org/wp- content/uploads/2011/10/dynamics-of-change-in-female- genital-cutting.pdf

Where does FGM occur?

• Approximately 100-140 million women have

experienced some form of FGM worldwide.1

• Most come from 1 of 30 countries in Africa and the

Middle East.2

• Growing prevalence in Southeast Asia.

professionals and the perspective of the migrant families. BMC Public Health, 10(1), 193. Retrieved from http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/10/193

• rg/files/fgmc_Coordinated_Strategy_to_Abandon_FGMC__in_One_Generation_eng.pdf

Where does FGM occur?

• Prevalence in thirty countries throughout Sub-Saharan

Africa and areas of the Middle East.

• Increasingly, however, FGM survivors and girls at risk

are in Western countries, including the UK, Australia, and the US.1

professionals and the perspective of the migrant families. BMC Public Health, 10(1), 193. Retrieved from http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/10/193

Sources: Sanctuary for Families. (2013). Female Genital Mutilation In The United States: Protecting Girls and Women in the U.S. from FGM and Vacation Cutting. Retrieved from http://www.sanctuaryforfamilies.

• rg/storage/sanctuary/documents/report_onfgm_w_cover.pdf

AHA Foundation. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Statutes in the United States & United Kingdom. Retrieved from http://theahafoundation.org/wp/wp- content/uploads/2011/05/FGMLAWS_2013011.pdf

48 out of 50 states have estimated numbers of women or girls at risk.

Impacts

• Health
• Family and Society
• Education
• Economic

Situation

Photo sources: https://imgarcade.com/

Impacts on Health

• Birth Complications
• Physical Complications

○ Long term ○ Short term

• Physiological Complications

Impacts on Education

• Absenteeism1

○ Rite of passage1

• Inability to concentrate=Lower performance=Higher risk of dropout1
• Marriageability1

○ Kenya Example1

• Financial hardship resulting from costs of procedure itself1

1Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH. (July 2009). Female genital mutilation and education. Eschborn,

Germany: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH. Retrieved from http://www.intact-network. net/intact/cp/files/1290690770_FGM%20&%20Education-%20GTZ%20(2009).pdf

Impacts on Family & Society

• Assumption that FGM is required to raise girls properly1
• Inappropriate association to religious practice1
• May lead to assumption that girls are naturally

promiscuous1

• Equated with cleanliness and decreased pain at

childbirth1

1World Health Organization. (2012). Female Genital Mutilation. Understanding ViolenceAgainst Women. Retrieved fromhttp://apps.who.

int/iris/bitstream/10665/77428/1/WHO_RHR_12.41_eng.pdf

Impacts on Family & Society (cont’d)

• Education lost may result in:

○ Decreased ability to be an active member of society1 ○ Loss of potential ○ Loss of focus on issues women care deeply about ○ Next generation of daughters has a greater likelihood

• f not completing school1

1Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH. (July 2009). Female genital mutilation and education. Eschborn,

Germany: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH. Retrieved from http://www.intact-network. net/intact/cp/files/1290690770_FGM%20&%20Education-%20GTZ%20(2009).pdf The effects of education loss are also greater than simply a loss of the knowledge schooling imparts. Dropping out of school may decrease a female’s ability to be an active member of society for a lifetime.[2] Any individual not allowed to reach their fullest potential is a loss in terms of what they could have accomplished and those they might have encouraged. In the case of FGM survivors, this may mean a loss of women’s voices and, therefore, a lack of focus on causes women care about deeply. At the very least it often means incomplete education for their daughters.[2]

Impacts on Economic Situation

• Future treatment often required due to primitive unsterile FGM

procedure ○ 0.1%-1% of government health spending in 6 African countries1 ○ Additional costs to female’s families

• Loss of education = loss of income2
• Loss of income = furthering patriarchal patterns3

1Kaplan, A., Hechavarría. S, Miguel, M. & Bonhoure, I. (2011). Health consequences of femalegenital mutilation/cutting in the Gambia,

evidence into action. Reproductive Health, 8, 26. doi:10.1186/1742-4755-8-26

2Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH. (July 2009). Female genital mutilation and education. Eschborn,

Germany: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH. Retrieved from http://www.intact-network. net/intact/cp/files/1290690770_FGM%20&%20Education-%20GTZ%20(2009).pdf

3Mackie, G. & LeJeune, J. (2009). Social dynamics of abandonment of harmful practices: A new look at the theory (Special Series on Social

Norms and Harmful Practices, Innocenti Working Paper No. 2009-06). Florence, Italy: UNICEF Innocenti Research Center. Retrieved from http://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/pdf/iwp_2009_06.pdf The complications of FGM outlined in the health section, as well as the primitive, unsterile method by which the procedure is generally performed often require future treatment. One recent study of women aged 15-45 years in six African countries indicated that the annual costs

• f treatments related to FGM were 0.1% to 1% of government health spending.[1] Additional costs of treating complications may be incurred by

the female’s immediate family.[1] In terms of education, FGM can lead to a loss of education or poor education for many reasons. Long term this equates to a loss of income for families.[2] Economic dependence is also a result and may further patriarchal patterns in the community.[3]

Policy

• Exist at the global, national, and state levels
• Stress the lag in United States policy on FGM
• Compare to the United Kingdom

Timeline of FGM Policies of Global, UK, and US Policies

Responses and Solutions

• In place at many different levels
• F.I.G.H.T. Solution

Startup

Pilot

Implementation

“Hot Spots”

Map

Evaluation

Partners and Networks

Why These Areas?

• Existing infrastructure and capacity
• Dedicated workers
• Community outreach established

African Women’s Health Center (Boston) Refugee Women’s Health Clinic (Phoenix) U.S. Together (Columbus) AHA Foundation (New York City) Kakenya Center for Excellence (Washington, D.C.)

Making the F.I.G.H.T. Solution Work: Infrastructure, Capacity, and Sustainability

[1]London Safeguarding Children Board. (November 2009). London Female Genital MutilationResource Pack. Retrieved from http://www.londonscb.gov.uk/fgm/ [2]UN Population Fund & UNICEF. (n.d.). Joint Evaluation UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on Female Genital Mutilation/ Cutting: Accelerating Change (2008-2012). Retrieved from http://www.unfpa.org/webdav/site/global/shared/documents/Evaluation_branch/ Joint%20Evaluation%20-%20Sept%202013/Evaluation%20Brief/Abstracts%20Portraits/EN_FGM%20abstract%20FINAL.pdf [3]Mackie, G. & LeJeune, J. (2009). Social dynamics of abandonment of harmful practices: Anew look at the theory (Special Series on Social Norms and Harmful Practices, Innocenti Working Paper No. 2009-06). Florence, Italy: UNICEF Innocenti Research Center. Retrieved from http://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/pdf/iwp_2009_06.pdf

Personnel Guidelines

• General guidelines

○ Community leaders ○ Educators ○ Medical professionals ○ Legal community/Law Enforcement

• Medical personnel guidelines based on

research

Professional Resources

General Resources

• Reports from major
• rganizations
• Media/Newspapers
• Books
• Scholarly Articles and

Publications

What can YOU do?

• Reach out to local law

makers

○ Governors ○ Congress members

• Speak out/Tell your

story

• Support local
• rganizations

○ monetary ○ time

Thank you for listening to our presentation! Questions? Don’t forget… https://cie404fgm.wordpress.com/ @FGMintheUSA