The role of men in abandonment of female genital mutilation: A systematic review

Varol, N; Turkmani, S; Black, K; Hall, J; Dawson, A

The role of men in abandonment of female genital mutilation: A systematic review

Varol, N Turkmani, S

Black, K Hall, J Dawson, A

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: BMC Public Health, 2015, 15 (1)
Issue Date:: 2015-10-08

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Varol, N	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Turkmani, S https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7819-5061	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Black, K	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Hall, J	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Dawson, A https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0926-2202	en_US
dc.date.available	2015-10-02	en_US
dc.date.issued	2015-10-08	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	BMC Public Health, 2015, 15 (1)	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/37796
dc.description.abstract	© 2015 Varol et al. Background: Men in their roles as fathers, husbands, community and religious leaders may play a pivotal part in the continuation of female genital mutilation (FGM). However, the research on their views of FGM and their potential role in its abandonment are not well described. Methods: We undertook a systematic review of all publications between 2004 and 2014 that explored men's attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours in regards to FGM, as well as their ideas about FGM prevention and abandonment. Results: We included twenty peer-reviewed articles from 15 countries in the analysis. Analysis revealed ambiguity of men's wishes in regards to the continuation of FGM. Many men wished to abandon this practice because of the physical and psychosexual complications to both women and men. Social obligation and the silent culture between the sexes were posited as major obstacles for change. Support for abandonment was influenced by notions of social obligation, religion, education, ethnicity, urban living, migration, and understanding of the negative sequelae of FGM. The strongest influence was education. Conclusion: The level of education of men was one of the most important indicators for men's support for abandonment of FGM. Social obligation and the lack of dialogue between men and women were two key issues that men acknowledged as barriers to abandonment. Advocacy by men and collaboration between men and women's health and community programs may be important steps forward in the abandonment process.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	BMC Public Health	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1186/s12889-015-2373-2	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Public Health	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Circumcision, Female	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Gender Identity	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Socioeconomic Factors	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Men	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Women's Health	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Female	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Male	en_US
dc.title	The role of men in abandonment of female genital mutilation: A systematic review	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	1	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	15	en_US
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - WHO CC
utslib.copyright.status	open_access
pubs.issue	1	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	15	en_US

Abstract:

© 2015 Varol et al. Background: Men in their roles as fathers, husbands, community and religious leaders may play a pivotal part in the continuation of female genital mutilation (FGM). However, the research on their views of FGM and their potential role in its abandonment are not well described. Methods: We undertook a systematic review of all publications between 2004 and 2014 that explored men's attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours in regards to FGM, as well as their ideas about FGM prevention and abandonment. Results: We included twenty peer-reviewed articles from 15 countries in the analysis. Analysis revealed ambiguity of men's wishes in regards to the continuation of FGM. Many men wished to abandon this practice because of the physical and psychosexual complications to both women and men. Social obligation and the silent culture between the sexes were posited as major obstacles for change. Support for abandonment was influenced by notions of social obligation, religion, education, ethnicity, urban living, migration, and understanding of the negative sequelae of FGM. The strongest influence was education. Conclusion: The level of education of men was one of the most important indicators for men's support for abandonment of FGM. Social obligation and the lack of dialogue between men and women were two key issues that men acknowledged as barriers to abandonment. Advocacy by men and collaboration between men and women's health and community programs may be important steps forward in the abandonment process.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/37796